Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said she had congratulated her rival Donald Trump on winning the US presidential elections, and hoped he would be a "successful" President.
With her sombre image reflecting her shock defeat to Trump, Clinton acknowledged that the "pain" of her electoral loss would continue to rankle for a long time.
"I have spent my entire life fighting for what I believed in,.. this loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it," she told her supporters at her concession speech, where she was flanked by her husband and former President Bill Clinton and running mate, Tim Kaine.
Clinton, whose win would have made her the first woman president of the US, said: "I know we have still not shattered the glass ceiling (of becoming the first woman president), but someone will, and hopefully sooner than we know."
"To every little girl who is watching this, never doubt that you are deserving of every opportunity in the world," she said.
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On Trump's presidency, she said: "We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead."
Clinton thanked US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. "To Barack and Michelle Obama. Our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude. We thank you for your graceful determined leadership that has meant so much."
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