International : Bush delivers farewell address and acknowledges failures

Washington - Outgoing US President George W. Bush delivered his prime-time farewell address to the nation Thursday night, acknowledging "setbacks" during his tenure.

In his last public appearance as president, Mr Bush said he would have done some things "differently, if given the chance."

"Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks.

"There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind.

"I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions," he said at the White House.

Mr Bush also congratulated President-elect Barack Obama, saying his inauguration will be a "moment of hope and pride for our whole nation."

"In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people.

"Standing on the steps of the Capital will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land.

"This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls," he added.

Mr Bush will spend the weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, before his term ends on Tuesday with the swearing-in of Mr Obama as the country's 44th president.

A USA Today/Gallup poll, released on Wednesday, found 34 percent of Americans approved the overall job Mr Bush did as president and 61 percent disapproved.

The presidential farewell address is a tradition dating back to George Washington's departure from office in 1797. - BuaNews-Xinhua