US President-elect Barack Obama has held crisis talks with Congressional leaders 2 weeks before he takes office. He said the US economy has been badly damaged and the government must take immediate steps to stabilize the economy.

Obama said he expects lawmakers will approve billions of dollars in tax cuts and government spending within 2 weeks after he is sworn. He also pledged more than 100 million dollars for businesses.

Earlier in the day, Obama discussed with the House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, the importance of creating legislation to improve the lives of the American people.

He said he hopes his economic recovery plan will create millions of jobs for Americans.

Barack Obama, US President-elect, said, "Right now the most important task for us is to stabilize the patient. The economy is badly damaged, it is sick. And so we have to take whatever is, step are required to make sure that it is stabilized. And I expect to sign a bill to create three million jobs for the American people, shortly after I get inaugurated."

(CCTV January 7, 2009)