Obama's first visit to Oval Office

President-elect Barack Obama visits Oval Office | US Presidential Election | News.com.au

* Obama meets Bush at White House
* His first post-election visit
* Talks on major economic foreign issues

LESS than one week after his historic victory, US President-elect Barack Obama visited the White House today to learn first hand from President George W. Bush about the challenges that await him.

The outgoing president and first lady Laura Bush greeted Obama and his wife Michelle with smiles and handshakes as they stepped from their limousine to begin a tour of what will be their new home after Obama is sworn in on January 20.

The two men were 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 bequeath to his Democratic successor.

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

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.