Obama stays away from G20 summit

Washington, Nov 12 (DPA) US president-elect Barack Obama will meet none of the 20 world leaders descending on Washington this weekend for an emergency financial summit, the head of Obama's transition team said.

Obama will remain in his home town of Chicago for the weekend continuing preparations to enter the White House Jan 20 and will host no foreign dignitaries, according to John Podesta, co-chair

of Obama's transition team.

Obama's team made clear last week that the president-elect would not attend Saturday's summit of the Group of 20 nations, but there had been speculation he would hold bilateral talks with some of the leaders in Washington.

'It's not appropriate for two people to show up at this meeting.

The president-elect will respect that we have one president at a time,' Podesta told reporters.

Some of Obama's closest advisors may meet with world leaders in Washington over the weekend, Podesta said.

President George W. Bush called the emergency summit last month to discuss efforts to halt a spiralling financial crisis that has severely cut growth around the world.

Obama has spoken by telephone with a number of world leaders who have offered their congratulations since his election Nov 4.