PRESIDENT George Bush today delivered a farewell address, paying tribute to his successor as a man whose story reflects "the enduring promise" of America.
The outgoing head of state said the inauguration of Barack Obama - the US's first black president - would be "a moment of hope and pride" for the nation.
Turning to his own tenure, he acknowledged there had been setbacks, stating: "There have been good days and tough."
But in a 15-minute speech, he added that the role had been "a privilege of a lifetime".
The address quickly turned to the decisive moment in Mr Bush's eight years as president - the September 11 terrorist attacks.
President Bush said as a result of America's actions, Afghanistan had been turned from Taliban control into "a young democracy".
Meanwhile, Iraq has gone from "a brutal dictatorship" to a "friend of the United States".
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