After spending his first night in the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama wasted no time getting to work Wednesday.
Obama signed executive orders Wednesday which tightened rules about former lobbyists working in his government.
"As of today, lobbyists will be subject to stricter limits under any other administration in history," Obama told a meeting of his top staff.
"If you are a lobbyist entering my administration you will not be able to work on matters you lobbied on or in the agencies you lobbied during the previous two years."
Obama said if a staff member leaves, they will not be able to lobby his administration for as long as he is president.
There will also be a ban on gifts from lobbyists to anyone in Obama's administration.
"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency," Obama said.
He also announced a pay freeze for all White House employees who make over $100,000 annually.
Oval Office
Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama came home from last night's inaugural celebrations around 1 a.m. and was in the Oval Office around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
He spent 10 minutes alone and read a note left for him by former president George Bush, placed in an envelope marked "To: #44, From: #43," Gibbs said.
Obama was then joined by White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and, several minutes later, the first lady, Michelle Obama.
Later Wednesday morning, Obama took part in a national prayer service at the National Cathedral.
Obama and his wife attended the service as part of a tradition that dates back to George Washington's inauguration.
Joining the Obamas were Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, and the Clintons.
"Grant to Barack Obama, president of the United States, and to all in authority your grace and good will. Bless them with your heavenly gifts, give them wisdom and strength to know and to do your will," prayed the Rev. Andy Stanley, one of numerous clerics from several religions to speak.
After the prayer service, Obama returned to the White House, which was to be opened up to the public.
Obama also placed phone calls to Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian leaders Wednesday
In the conversations, Obama said he would work to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Gibbs said.
He is also expected to meet with advisers Wednesday to discuss the variety of problems facing his administration, including the economy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, along with the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and other members of Obama's National Security Council will all be at the White House Wednesday.
Gen. David Petraeus, the military commander in charge of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, is also scheduled to attend.
During his campaign, Obama said he would withdraw all U.S. combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months of taking office.
Obama has also promised a troop surge for Afghanistan, in the range of 30,000 soldiers.
Late Tuesday, Obama issued a request that the war crimes trials at Guantanamo Bay be suspended. A judge has granted the request, which include a stoppage of the trial of Canadian Omar Khadr.
Historic inauguration
Meanwhile, Washington continues to be abuzz following Obama's inauguration Tuesday, where he was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.
U.S. presidential historian Allan Lichtman called Tuesday's inauguration the "most extraordinary day" he has ever witnessed in his 35 years in Washington.
"He's a political leader, he's a rock star, he's an icon," Lichtman told CTV's Canada AM on Wednesday.
"He's Abraham Lincoln meets American Idol meets Muhammad Ali and we haven't seen anything like that before."
After accepting the Oath of Office on the steps of Capitol Hill Tuesday, Obama delivered a rousing inauguration speech.
He called on Americans to enter a "new era of responsibility," saying all citizens must pull together to overcome the current challenges.
More than one million people watched the ceremony live or on massive projection screens in the National Mall.
Among the crowd were dignitaries, Hollywood stars, former presidents and Obama's wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha.
During the afternoon presidential inauguration parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, Obama got out of his limousine to walk part of the route with his wife.
The couple then partied late into the night, attending 10 inaugural balls.
Lichtman said he expects Obama's presidential honeymoon to last for a long time.
"Americans know that Barack Obama is not Harry Potter," Lichtman said.
"He can't wave a magic wand and solve all our problems. They don't expect that, they know our problems are going to take some time."
Lichtman said Obama's inauguration marked more than just a change in power.
"2008 marks the end of the Conservative-era that began with Ronald Reagan in 1980," he said. "We're witnessing one of those great hinge moments in history when one political era ends and another begins."
At 47, Obama is the fourth youngest president in American history.
With files from The Associated Press
