In pictures: Obama meets Bush

The outgoing and incoming presidents and their wives stand in front of the White House

US President-elect Barack Obama and his wife have paid their first visit to the White House in Washington since last week's historic vote.

Mr Obama arrives at Ronald Reagan airport in Washington ahead of his White House talks

Mr Obama flew in to the capital from Chicago, where earlier in the day he had dropped his two young daughters off at school.

Mr Bush and Mr Obama shake hands outside the White House

Mr Bush and his wife, Laura, greeted Barack and Michelle Obama with warm handshakes as they arrived at the White House.

Mr Obama and Mr Bush walk along the Colonnade to the Oval Office

The economic crisis and the war in Iraq were expected to dominate discussions between the president-elect and his predecessor.

george W Bush and Barack Obama

The two men are working on the transition period, which will end with Mr Obama's inauguration on 20 January.

Laura Bush (left) and Michelle Obama

Laura Bush showed Michelle Obama around the private quarters of the building that the Obamas will call home for the next four years.

President Bush and Barack Obama in the Oval Office

Meanwhile, Mr Bush and Mr Obama settled down in the Oval Office - the hub of the White House from where Mr Obama will soon govern the nation.