US President-elect Biden promises to `unify` country

Joe Biden has pledged to unify the country and make America respected around the world again while delivering his US election victory speech.

The President-elect declared the "people had spoken" by casting a record number of votes in what amounted to a "convincing victory", as he addressed his supporters in Wilmington, Delaware.

"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn't see red states or blue states, only sees the United States," he said.

Mr Biden said his new administration will work for all Americans.

"I sought this office to restore the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home," he said.

"It's the honour of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for that vision.

"Now the work of making that vision is real. It is the task of our time."

After a bruising campaign, Mr Biden reached out to voters who supported Donald Trump.

"For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight, I've lost a couple of times myself but now, let's give each other a chance," Mr Biden said.

"It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric. Lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again, and to make progress we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies.

"They are not our enemies, they are Americans."

Mr Biden said his administration would use the forces of decency and science to confront the world's problems.

He said one his first tasks would be to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.

"Our work begins with getting COVID under control," he said.

"We cannot repair the economy and restore our vitality or relish life's most precious moments... until we get it under control."

Speaking before Mr Biden took the stage, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris thanked voters for "ushering in a new day for America".

"Joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested steady hand," Ms Harris said.

"He's a person who's own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation to reclaim our own sense of purpose"._Agencies