WASHINGTON - US president-elect Barack Obama arrived at the White House Tuesday barely two hours before his historic swearing-in, for a brief, symbolic goodbye coffee hosted by outgoing President George W. Bush.

Bush and First Lady Laura Bush met Obama and wife Michelle Obama, who brought a gift for her predecessor, under the storied presidential mansion's North Portico. All four greeted each other warmly with handshakes and kisses and posed for photographs in the bitter cold.

The Obamas arrived at the White House in an armored presidential limousine after a brief motorcade drive from church two blocks away, preceded by vice president-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill who arrived in their own limousine.

Michelle Obama gave Laura a kiss on the cheek and a white box with a red ribbon tied in a bow. Barack Obama also gave his hostess a quick kiss, while the outgoing president did the same with the new US first lady.

They were to enjoy a private coffee together, with Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne joining them, before heading to the Capitol at 10:45 am (1545 GMT) for Obama's inauguration as the first black US president.

Following the ceremony, Bush was to leave the Capitol by helicopter for Andrews Air Force base just outside Washington and from there head back to his native Texas aboard a US Air Force jet.