George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush greet President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as they arrive for a visit at the White House in Washington

A scene in the TV series Game of Thrones appeared to depict former US president George W Bush as a severed head on a spike

The former US President said he is not interested in "self-pity".

Former US President George W.Bush has given a rare interview in his post-Presidential state. In the interview with the Dallas Morning News, he reflects on his legacies - the Iraq and Afghanistan wars - and says that he's "confident the decisions were made the right way."

"It's easy to forget what life was like when the decision was made," he said.

When asked about what he would have done differently during his eight-year term, he explained his regret at not overhauling and improving the United State's Social Security and immigration policy.

The 66-year-old also explained that his Presidency was "defined by things that you didn't necessarily want to have happen", most memorably, the September 11th, 2001 World Trade Centre terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina's devastation of Louisiana.

"I'm comfortable with what I did. I'm comfortable with who I am," he added.

The former president's comments come one month after the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war.

Mr Bush, who has been largely criticised by his successor, President Barack Obama, particularly in relation to the country's economic situation, also added that he is not interested in "self-pity".

"My only point is that when there's an objective analysis of our fiscal record, people will say, 'Well, that's different than I thought.'"

He is currently enjoying retirement in his native Texas, with his wife Laura, and said that he has "no desire" to return to politics.

"People ask me, 'What about the economy?'" he said. "My answer is, 'Why don't you go hire an economist?"

And proving more self-awareness of his critics, he added: “People are surprised,” he said. “Of course, some people are surprised I can even read.”

Online Editors