London, Jan 8 (ANI): US President-elect Barack Obama met with all living past and present presidents of the country for lunch at the White House.

The meeting, which has been dubbed as an "extraordinary gathering" by Obama, saw George H W Bush, George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and the President-elect himself standing together in the Oval Office of the White House for a photo opportunity.

The US presidents showed their unity and offered their welcome to Obama, who stood out from the rest for his youth and his race.

"One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed," the Telegraph quoted George W Bush as saying.

"We wish you all the very best, and so does the country," he stated.

Obama in return thanked his predecessors for joining him and said that he valued the opportunity to "get advice, good counsel and fellowship from these individuals" and learn "from their successes".

Not much is known about the conversation that went on between the presidents, but Clinton was heard making idle talk with President George W Bush before they headed into the adjoining dining room.

"I just love that rug," Clinton said to Bush, as he looked down at the pale gold rug with sunbeam design.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said that all were curious as to what they talked about.

"All of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation," Perino said. (ANI)