Washington: US President George W Bush said he likes his successor Barack Obama, praising him as "engaging" in an interview broadcast.

Bush had nothing but compliments for Obama when asked about his impressions of the president-elect on Fox News Sunday.

"I liked him," said Bush, who met with Obama as recently as Wednesday when former presidents gathered for a historic lunch at the White House.

"Listen, the man s obviously a charismatic person ... And the man is able to persuade people that they should trust him. And he s got -- he s got something -- he s got a lot going for him," he said.

Bush, who will step down on January 20,praised Obama for placing a high priority on his family and said he was "impressed" by how president-elect had handled his transition to the White House.

He said that Obama had "showed decisiveness" in his choices and "has picked people that are capable and competent people."
Source : PTI