Obama pledges 'era of openness'

President Obama faces a packed agenda on his first day in office

President Barack Obama has issued executive orders on government ethics and transparency as part of a packed first full day in office.

The measures include curbs on lobbying and a pay free for senior White House Staff. Federal employees will have to sign up to new ethics procedures.

The new president said he was beginning "a new era of openness" in government.

Later Mr Obama and his advisers are to discuss the economic crisis - as well as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Announcing the restrictions on lobbyists, Mr Obama said he wanted a "clean break from business as usual".

The new rules ban aides from lobbying the administration when they leave his staff. Officials are also banned from receiving gifts from lobbyists.

Announcing the pay freeze for senior officials, Mr Obama said: "Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington."

The economic crisis will is expected to be high on his agenda on his first day. The president is due to meet economic advisers to discuss his $825bn rescue plan.