US President Mr Bill Clinton bade a grateful farewell to Americans with an expression of hope that his policies of fiscal prudence, international engagement and social diversity would live on.
"I am grateful to be able to turn over the reins of leadership to a new president, with America in a great position to meet the challenges of the future," Mr Clinton said in a nationally broadcast address.
Mr Clinton, who spoke to the country from the Oval office for the 15th time in his eight-year presidency, steps down tommorow.
But he made clear in his speech that he was not turning over the reins without a good dose of advice to president-elect Mr George W. Bush on how the country should be steered.
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The president said the country had experienced an "era of great American renewal" during his time in office, reflecting his efforts to give citizens the tools to build a strong economy, cleaner environment and safer world.
He cited the 22 million new jobs created under his administration, unemployment rates at 30- year lows and the longest economic expansion in history, which has only recently begun to show signs of slowing.
"Working together, America has done well," he said.
Mr Clinton said he and his family "join all Americans in wishing our very best to the next president, George W. Bush, to his family and his administration."
But he cautioned against a withdrawal from international responsibilities, which Democrats warned during last year's presidential campaign would be a consequence of a Bush presidency.
"In his first inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson warned of 'entangling alliances.' But in our own times, America cannot, and must not, disentangle itself from the world," he said.
-Reuters