President-elect Donald Trump met with Barack Obama on Thursday (10 November) as the US prepares for a transition of power.

Speaking to reporters while seated next to Trump in the Oval Office, Obama said his number-one priority was to ensure a smooth transition for the leader-in-waiting, commenting: "If he succeeds, the country succeeds."

More from IBTimes UK

He went on to say he was "encouraged" by Trump's apparent eagerness to "work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces".

Trump responded by revealing he had "respect for the president", adding that they talked about some "wonderful things and some difficult things".

Asked if he would seek the advice of the outgoing president, Trump said Obama was a "very fine man".

He went on to boast of how long their meeting had been, saying it was scheduled for ten minutes but lasted for an hour and a half.

Barack Obama and Donald Trump
US President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump to update him on transition planning in the Oval Office at the White House on November 10, 2016 in Washington,DC JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

President Obama said the pair spoke about both foreign and domestic policy, with Trump understood to now be receiving classified intelligence reports and the President's daily brief in preparation his takeover in January.

The head-to-head was the first time the pair had met in person, with Michelle Obama also meeting the incoming first lady, Melania Trump.

Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Josh Earnest admitted the meeting between Trump and Obama "wasn't going to be an easy [one]", but said the President was keen to ensure a smooth transition to the next presidency.

Donald Trump
President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with President-elect Donald Trump (L) following a meeting in the Oval Office November 10, 2016 Win McNamee/ Getty Images

During the US Presidential campaign, the pair had exchanged blows, with Obama calling Trump dangerous and the former reality TV star describing the incumbent as perhaps the worst president ever, even saying he was responsible for terrorist group Islamic State.

But following Trump's extraordinary electoral victory the two struck a more conciliatory tone.

President Obama said: "As I said last night, my number one priority in the next coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our President-elect is successful and I have been very encouraged by the interest by President-elect Trump's wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces.

"I believe that it is important for all, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together to deal with the many challenges we face."

Trump described his meeting with President Obama as a "great honour".

He said: "We really we discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel."

Trump now heads to Capitol Hill with Mike Pence, the Vice President-elect, where he will meet with Paul Ryan, the speaker of the house. His team will also be working to fill key roles in his new administration.

Barack Obama and Donald Trump
President Barack Obama speaks while meeting with President-elect Donald Trump (L) following a meeting in the Oval Office November 10, 2016 in Washington, DC Win McNamee/Getty Images

Full transcript

Barack Obama: As I said last night, my number one priority in the coming two months is to try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president elect is successful. And I have been very encouraged by the, I think, interest in President-elect Trump's wanting to work with my team around many of the issues that this great country faces.

I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face.

And in the meantime Michelle has had a chance to greet the incoming first lady, and we had an excellent conversation with her as well. And we want to make sure they feel welcome as they prepare to make this transition. And most of all I want to emphasise to you, Mr President Elect, that we now are gonna want to do everything we can to help you succeed, because if you succeed then the country succeeds.

Donald Trump: Well, thank you very much President Obama. This was a meeting that was going to last for maybe 10 or 15 minutes and we were just going to get to know each other. We had never met each other. I have great respect – the meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half, and it could have, as far as I'm concerned, it could have gone on for a lot longer.

We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel. He's explained some of the difficulties, some of the high-flying assets and some of the really great things that have been achieved.

So Mr President, it was a great honour being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future.

Obama: Thank you everybody – we are not going to be taking any questions. [Joking to Trump:] Always a good rule: don't answer any questions when they just start yelling.

White House