Washington, Jan. 20 : Barack Obama''s inaugural ceremony has thrown the biggest challenge so far for the security agencies who have been busy for months ahead of the scheduled swearing-in ceremony to be held on Tuesday, to ensure an incident-free function before the world.

“There have been painstaking preparations, with rehearsals for security officials - not just for the military precision of the ceremony and the parade, stated a British Broadcasting Corporation report on Monday.

Washington - Barack Obama arrived at the White House Tuesday for a pre-inaugural coffee with President George W Bush, just two hours before he takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.

Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greeted Obama and wife Michelle outside the fabled mansion. They exchanged handshakes and hugs along with a few words before turning for the cameras, then retreating inside.

The incoming and soon-to-be former presidents will have their traditional coffee before travelling together to the congressional steps, where Obama will take the oath of office at noon (1700 GMT).

Washington, Jan. 20 : About two million people have converged into the area between the Capitol, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial to witness the first African American taking oath of office and secrecy in a short while from now as 44th President, replacing George W. Bush .

Many of these people will remain to be over a mile away from the actual venue of swearing-in ceremony. But they will watch the historical moment taking place on giant TV screens erected along the National Mall.

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in a telegram on Tuesday offered US president-elect Barack Obama prayers that God may grant him "unfailing wisdom and strength" in carrying out his new responsibilities.

"Under your leadership may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society," Benedict told Obama just a few hours before the inauguration ceremonies.

Washington, D. C, Jan. 20 : A new era would begin in the history of United States in a few moments from now with Barack Hussein Obama taking oath of office and secrecy at the steps of Capitol at (1700 GMT) as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Ahead of the ceremony the President-elect visited St. George Church here for a private prayer service.

He will take charge as the first African American to be elected President of the United States by replacing George W. Bush.

Washington - Denzel Washington, the actor who helped shape the image of the modern African-American on the big screen, Tuesday said Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th US president was a tribute to the sacrifices of civil rights activists who went before him.

"We waited a long time to get here, but we have to be involved. It's about all of us," Washington told reporters.