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PHOENIX (Arizona) - REPUBLICAN White House hopeful John McCain on Tuesday conceded defeat to Democrat Barack Obama in the US presidential election, saying he had congratulated his opponent in a phone call.
'The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love,' he told his supporters.
Mr McCain, speaking shortly after US television networks projected Mr Obama the victor, called for national unity and encouraged his supporters to work constructively with the new president.
'I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger better country than we inherited,' he said.
With Mr Obama to become the country's first black president, McCain said the election result marked historic progress for the country.
Mr McCain addressed his supporters at a Phoenix hotel after telephoning Obama to concede the election to him.
The 72-year-old Arizona senator urged Americans to rally behind Obama, saying he planned to help Mr Obama tackle the many challenges facing Americans.
'Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans and please believe me when I say no association has meant more tome than that,' Mr McCain said.
'It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment but tomorrow we must move beyond it,' said Mr McCain, who hailed his vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin as a vital new voice in the Republican Party. -- REUTERS, AFP.
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