Clinton bows out with pride

End of an affair after eight years in office

Outgoing US President Bill Clinton has set out what he sees as the achievements of his administration in a televised farewell address to the nation.

The president-elect, George W Bush, is due to take the oath of office at 1700 GMT on Saturday, becoming the 43rd US president. He has already begun his inaugural celebrations, pledging to "give America a fresh start".

America must not and cannot disentangle itself from the world

Bill Clinton

In a relatively short speech on Thursday, Mr Clinton said the country was in a strong position after his eight years in power.

"America has done well," he said, listing prosperity, a drop in crime, stronger families and a cleaner environment among his successes.

Advice

But Mr Clinton also offered some advice to President-elect Bush.

Mr Bush in buoyant mood with singer Ricky Martin

He listed three things that America - and by implication Mr Bush - should do.

He said that America should maintain fiscal responsibility and continue paying off the national debt.

He cautioned against isolationism and urged Americans to remember their country's international responsibilities.

"America must not and cannot disentangle itself from the world," he said.

And he called for harmony in race relations at home. "America cannot lead unless we weave threads of our coat of many colours into one America," he said.

I leave the presidency more idealistic, more full of hope than the day I arrived, and more confident than ever that America's best days lie ahead

Bill Clinton

Mr Bush began his inaugural celebrations with a concert in Washington starring Latin pop star Ricky Martin.

In a short speech, Mr Bush said he intended to be a president of all the people.

"I will treat the office with care, never take it for granted, and always remember to whom it really belongs," he said in a veiled reference to the scandals which dogged the Clinton presidency.

High ratings

Mr Clinton leaves office with poll ratings higher than any other modern president, despite the scandals. At the age of 54, Mr Clinton is also the youngest president to leave office since Theodore Roosevelt left the White House at the age of 50.

Clinton's high points

Economic boom

Welfare reform

Peace efforts in Kosovo and Northern Ireland

He thanked people who had supported him and worked for him throughout his presidency and offered his best wishes to Mr Bush in meeting the challenges ahead.

He said that he was more idealistic and full of hope than when he arrived in office in 1993.

"I am more confident than ever that America's best days lie ahead," he said.

But he also expressed the hope that his own days of service were not over.

Monica Lewinsky: The scandal taints Mr Clinton's legacy

"In the years ahead, I will never hold a position higher or a covenant more sacred than that of President of the United States. But there is no title I will wear more proudly than that of citizen," he concluded.

There was no mention in the speech about his affair with Monica Lewinsky or his impeachment by the House of Representatives which resulted from the sex-and-lies scandal. Nor was there reference to the Whitewater property scandal.

Clinton's low points

Impeachment and the Lewinsky affair

Failure of health care reform

Deadlock in Middle East peace

The address followed weeks of farewell visits to places signifying landmarks in his political career.

On Wednesday, Mr Clinton made a last official road trip to his home state of Arkansas, spending a nostalgic few hours at the State House chamber where he started off his life in politics.