WASHINGTON - US PRESIDENT-ELECT Barack Obama may yet take part in the Nov 15 global economic crisis talks in some capacity, a senior US official indicated on Wednesday.

The White House had said - before the Nov 4 election that swept Mr Obama into history as the first black US president - that he would likely not play a direct role in the Group of 20 summit in Washington.

But a senior aide to US President George W. Bush, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters the situation was not so clear-cut.

'We are consulting closely with the president-elect's team. We are seeking their views and input. This effort will obviously scramble the two administrations and it will be up to the president-elect as to how he would like to have input,' the official said.

The November talks will bring together leaders of the Group of 20 rich countries and major developing economies to discuss cooperative measures for responding to the global economic meltdown and ways to prevent future crises.

The G20 includes the seven major industrialized nations - Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and the United States - plus Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.

It also takes in the 27-nation European Union, represented by France, which holds the rotating EU presidency. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank also participate in its meetings. -- AFP