I look forward to Obama’s counsel, says Trump

Donald Trump, president-elect of the US, says he is looking forward to the counsel of President Barack Obama.

Speaking at the Oval office after both leaders met to begin the transition process, Trump described Obama as a great man.

His tone was different from that of the campaign period when he used harsh words on the president, whom he once accused of being the founder of ISIS.

The meeting at the Oval office lasted almost 90 minutes, but Trump said they had planned to meet for a much shorter period of time.

“This was a meeting that was going to last for maybe 10 or 15 minutes and we were just going to get to know each other,” he said.

“We had never met each other. I have great respect for him. The meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half, and it could have, as far as I’m concerned, it could have gone on for a lot longer.

“We really discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel.

“He’s explained some of the difficulties, some of the high flying assets and some of the really great things that have been achieved.

“So Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in future.”

Obama had earlier told reporters that he will do everything to make sure Trump succeeds.

“I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with President-elect Trump. It was wide-ranging,” he said.

“We talked about some of the organisational issues in setting up the White House. We talked about foreign policy and domestic policy. And as I said last night, my number one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president elect is successful.

“Mr President Elect, we want to do everything we can to help you succeed because if you succeed then the country succeeds.”