Bush declines Obama’s Ground Zero invitation

FORMER President George W Bush has declined an invitation from President Barack Obama to attend a New York ceremony today to mark the killing of Osama bin Laden, Bush’s office said.

“He appreciated the invite, but has chosen in his post-presidency to remain largely out of the spotlight,” said Bush spokesman David Sherzer.

Obama is to speak at New York’s “Ground Zero” and meet families of some of the victims of the September 11 attacks by al-Qaida in 2001.

Obama called Bush on Sunday night to inform him of the successful raid on bin Laden’s compound, and Bush issued a statement congratulating him and the US military and intelligence agencies for a “momentous achievement.”