Former U.S. President George W. Bush has declined an invitation by President Barack Obama to visit New York's Ground Zero on May 5 to mark the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
"The New York Times" quoted the former president's spokesman, David Sherzer, as saying Bush would not be in attendance.
The White House did not confirm the invitation or comment on Bush's decision.
Since leaving the White House, Bush has generally stayed out of the spotlight.
Obama plans to visit Ground Zero, where on September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers, and meet with victims' relatives.
Bush, who had made the hunt for bin Laden a priority during his time in office, congratulated his successor on bin Laden's death.
compiled from agency reports
"The New York Times" quoted the former president's spokesman, David Sherzer, as saying Bush would not be in attendance.
The White House did not confirm the invitation or comment on Bush's decision.
Since leaving the White House, Bush has generally stayed out of the spotlight.
Obama plans to visit Ground Zero, where on September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center towers, and meet with victims' relatives.
Bush, who had made the hunt for bin Laden a priority during his time in office, congratulated his successor on bin Laden's death.
compiled from agency reports