Washington, Jan 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Former US president George W. Bush will skip Barack Obama's inauguration Monday citing health problems of his father, ex-president George H.W. Bush.
ABC News reported that George H.W. Bush, 88, has been fighting with health problems and was just recently released from a hospital after spending weeks recovering from bronchitis.
"President and Mrs. Bush wish President Obama and his family all the best for a wonderful inaugural weekend," ABC News quoted a spokesman from the younger Bush's office as saying.
All former US presidents traditionally attend presidential inaugurations.
This year as both Bush, who are both Republicans, are not attending, Obama's inauguration will be purely Democratic with Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter sharing the solemn event with him.