On the eve of the historic-transfer of power, United States President-elect Barack Obama [Images] would host his presidential race opponent Senator John McCain [Images] at a dinner.

In fact, the Presidential Inauguration Committee on Sunday announced a series of bipartisan dinners to be hosted by Obama on January 19, a day before his inauguration as the 44th US President.

The committee said each of the three dinners will honour an American whose lifetime of public service has been enhanced by a dedication to bipartisan achievement -- Senator John McCain, General Colin Powell and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

These dinners serve to highlight Obama's commitment to renewing America's promise via bipartisan accomplishment. Attending the event will be leaders in Congress from both sides of the aisle and Americans from across the country of both parties.

"In these times of great challenge and great change, leadership requires rising above the same old narrow partisanship," Obama said in a statement.

"Each of these distinguished Americans has spent his life in service to his country, at each and every moment placing the interests of America before issues of political party.  That is precisely the spirit of common purpose we need as we begin the work ahead," he said.