Washington  - President George W Bush in a final press conference before leaving office said he felt honoured to witness the "historic moment in racial relations" with the swearing in of the United States' first black president.

"I consider myself fortunate to have a front row seat at what is going to be an historic moment for America," Bush said of the inauguration Barack Obama, which meant so much particularly to the country's African Americans. Obama, a Democrat, will be sworn in January 20.

In the wide-ranging press conference, Bush reflected on his successes and failures in office hitting topics ranging from the handling of Hurricane Katrina to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the United States' standing on the global stage.

The president said he expects to feel "different" when he wakes up the day after he leaves office at his home in Crawford, Texas. He said the first thing he would do is make coffee for his wife, Laura.

Still he doesn't expect to waste time, and will likely begin writing his memoirs.

"I can't envision myself in a big straw hat and a Hawaiian shirt sitting on a beach somewhere, particularly since i quit drinking," he joked. dpa