Washington: It was just a rehearsal for the real thing.

A band played "Hail to the Chief" at the west front of the Capitol in Washington and a swearing-in ceremony was followed by a helicopter flight _ all part of a dry run for the presidential inauguration set for January 20.

Stand-ins for President-elect Barack Obama and others took their places today, and thousands marched along the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

When the president-elect s name was announced, it was "Barack H Obama" - not Barack Hussein Obama. During the campaign, Obama s middle name - common in the Middle East - was at times used as a negative by people opposed to his election.

An inaugural official referred questions about Obama s name to top organizers.
Source : PTI