Washington, January 21, SPA -- Incoming US President Barack Obama signalled a "new era" of transparency, accountability and rule of law in hisadministration, signing a series of ethics-related directives on hisfirst full day in the White House Wednesday. "Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of thispresidency," Obama said during a signing ceremony, which alsoincluded the swearing-in of Obama's senior White House staff. The directives were part of a flurry of activity on Obama's firstday in office. Controversial US military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay,Cuba were suspended for 120 days. Obama also planned meetings withhis top economic and military advisers later Wednesday. Obama said he hoped his directives would help "restore trust" inthe US government. Opinion polls have shown dropping publicconfidence in government, with departing president George W Bushleaving with one of the lowest approval ratings in recent times.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/628406