Obama says he really feels “very encouraged” after meeting with the new president Donald Trump (RAED MORE)

President Barack Obama has said that he really feels “encouraged” by his White House conversation with president-elect Donald Trump. “I have been very encouraged by the interest in president-elect Trump in wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces.”

US President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands during a transition planning meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on November 10, 2016 in Washington,DC.

“I believe that it is important for all of us regardless of party and regardless of political preference to now come together to deal with the many challenges we face,’’ said Obama. “My number one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful,’’ he said. Donald Trump also said that he looks forward to seeking counsel from President Barack Obama as he prepares to enter the White House, a media report said on Thursday. Trump, noting he had never met Obama, calls him a good man and says the two had discussed both “wonderful” things and the “difficult” challenges the country faces.

After a nearly 90 minute meeting in the Oval Office, Obama said they discussed organizational issues related to the presidential transition as well as foreign and domestic policy.