Obama makes historic White House visit

Washington: US President-elect Barack Obama visited the White House on Monday for his first post-election meeting with President George W. Bush, a strikingly symbolic moment in the transition of power.

The outgoing president and first lady Laura Bush greeted the new president-elect and his wife Michelle with smiles and handshakes, even as Obama's advisers reviewed some of Bush's executive orders with an eye to reversing them after he is sworn in on January 20.

The two men immediately headed to the Oval Office where they were expected to discuss the global financial crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other challenges the Republican president will leave to his Democratic successor.

It was their first face-to-face encounter following Obama's resounding victory over Republican John McCain in Tuesday's election, which will make him America's first black president.

Obama, 47, had repeatedly attacked Bush's "failed policies" on the campaign trail and once said he had a lot to answer for after eight years in office. The Illinois senator swept to power campaigning on a theme of change - specifically, change from the unpopular president's approach to economics and foreign affairs.

There was no outward sign of tension, however, when the Obamas stepped from their limousine at the south portico.

Bush and Obama strolled down the White House colonnade side-by-side, chatting amiably. They stopped briefly and waved to the cameras but said nothing to reporters before Bush ushered Obama ahead of him into the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, the first lady led Michelle Obama inside the White House residence for a tour of what will soon be her family's new home.

Newly elected presidents traditionally visit the White House between election and inauguration but usually wait longer than Obama did. At Bush's invitation he came calling only six days after the election, underscoring a sense of urgency in the transition process.