We introduce a local formalism to deal with the Hubbard model on a N times N
square lattice (for even N) in terms of eigenstates of number operators, having
well defined point symmetry. For U -> 0, the low lying shells of the kinetic
energy are filled in the ground state. At half filling, using the 2N-2 one-body
states of the partially occupied shell S_{hf}, we build a set of (2N-2 N-1)^{2}
degenerate unperturbed ground states with S_{z}=0 which are then resolved by
the Hubbard interaction \hat{W}=U\sum_{r}\hat{n}_{r\ua}\hat{n}_{r\da}. In
S_{hf} we study the many-body eigenstates of the kinetic energy with vanishing
eigenvalue of the Hubbard repulsion (W=0 states). In the S_{z}=0 sector, this
is a N times degenerate multiplet. From the singlet component one obtains the
ground state of the Hubbard model for U=0^{+}, which is unique in agreement
with a theorem by Lieb. The wave function demonstrates an antiferromagnetic
order, a lattice step translation being equivalent to a spin flip. We show that
the total momentum vanishes, while the point symmetry is s or d for even or odd
N/2, respectively.Comment: 13 pages, no figure