US President Obama promised Thursday to "do everything we can" to help his successor Donald Trump succeed, as the two held their first meeting amid questions whether they would be able to put aside animosity after a bitter campaign fight.

After the 90-minute meeting, Obama told reporters that the meeting was "excellent" and "wide-ranging" and that the two talked about organizational issues involved in setting up a new White House as well as foreign policy and domestic policy issues.

"I believe that it is important for all of us, regardless of party and regardless of political preferences, to now come together, work together, to deal with the many challenges that we face," Obama said. "I want to emphasize to you, Mr.

President-elect, that we now are going to want to do everything we can to help you succeed because if you succeed, then the country succeeds."

Obama also said his No.1 priority is to "try to facilitate a transition that ensures our president-elect is successful."

Trump called Obama a "very good man." He also said the meeting had been expected to last only 10-15 minutes, but went much longer than that. 

"We had never met each other. I have great respect. The meeting lasted for almost an hour and a half. And it could have, as far as I'm concerned, it could have gone on for a lot longer," Trump said.

"We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties," he said. "I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel. He explained some of the difficulties, some of the high-flying assets and some of the really great things that have been achieved."

Trump did not elaborate what those "wonderful" and "difficult" situations were.

"So, Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you, and I look forward to being with you many, many more times in the future," he said.

The meeting took place amid speculation that Trump could wipe out whatever achievements Obama made in his eight years in office, including the Obamacare health policy and the Iranian nuclear deal, as Trump has slammed them heavily during campaigning. (Yonhap)