United States President George W Bush [Images] on Thursday said Mahatma Gandhi [Images] was among the great leaders of history.

Bush, along with his wife Laura, paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation at his memorial in Rajghat, located on the banks of the Yamuna River.

During his 10-minute stay at Rajghat, Bush was briefed about the memorial by noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande and other members of the Gandhi Samiti.

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"I am grateful to have the opportunity to honour Mahatma Gandhi at this sacred site. His life was an inspiration to people and the world, and his contribution to all mankind place him among the great leaders of history," the US President wrote on the visitor's book at the Rajghat.

Bush drove down to the memorial of the Mahatma after a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images].

As the US President was showering rose petals on the memorial, two helicopters, one believed to be an American, were hovering over the Rajghat as part of the security drill.

The entire memorial had been turned into a fortress with the Commissioner of Delhi [Images] Police K K Paul overseeing the security arrangements.