Hillary Clinton has urged her supporters to accept the election result and give Donald Trump the "chance to lead".

Speaking for the first time since her devastating defeat at the hands of Mr Trump, Mrs Clinton told tearful backers in New York: "This loss hurts, but please, never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it."

The Democrat, who herself fought back tears during a sombre address, added she hopes the Republican will be "a successful president for all Americans."

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Mrs Clinton said: "We must accept this result. Donald Trump is going to be President.


"We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead."

She added: "Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transition of power. We don't just respect that, we cherish it.

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"It also enshrines other things - the rule of law, the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression.

"We respect and cherish values too and we must defend them."

The former secretary of state saw her dream of becoming the first female US president slip away at the hands of Mr Trump, who comfortably surpassed the 270 Electoral College votes necessary to win the White House.

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Image: A 'Naked Cowboy' performer supporting Donald Trump walks through Times Square in New York Image: A supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump argues with a man in Times Square Image: Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta addresses supporters Image: Supporters leave Hillary Clinton's election night rally in New York Image: US President-elect Donald Trump greets his supporters Image: Traders at BGC Partners look at screens after Donald Trump won the US Presidential election, in London Image: Supporters of Democratic US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton react to her defeat Image: A woman passes burning rubbish during a demonstration in Oakland, California, following the election of Donald Trump Image: Donald Trump kisses his wife Melania Image: Traders at BGC Partners Image: Trump supporters stage a rally in front of the White House in Washington Image: The President-elect addresses his supporters in New York Image: It was despair for Democrat supporters though Image: Two Clinton supporters react after seeing her results /

Clinton supporters were sent home from what was intended to be a victory rally in the early hours of the morning, and Mrs Clinton called her opponent to concede the election.

Speaking later on Wednesday flanked by her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea, Mrs Clinton said the campaign had been "one of the greatest honours" of her life.

"This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for and I'm sorry that we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country," she said.

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"This is painful, and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this: our campaign was never about one person or even one election."

While the fractious campaign had revealed a nation "more deeply divided than we thought", Mrs Clinton said: "I still believe in America and I always will."

In a sign of how divided the nation is, the overall popular vote remains close. Mrs Clinton holds a lead of some 200,000 votes, according to a tally by the Associated Press.

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With around 125 million votes counted, Mrs Clinton has 47.7% of the vote and Mr Trump 47.5%.

But it was the Republican's wins in key battleground states like Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania which swung the Electoral College, where American presidential elections are decided, in Mr Trump's favour.

Mrs Clinton acknowledged America has not "shattered that highest and hardest ceiling" - a reference to her attempt to become the country's first female leader - but said "someday, somebody will".

Speaking at the White House, President Barack Obama said he was proud of Mrs Clinton and hailed her candidacy as "historic".

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He pledged to ensure there is a peaceful transition of power, saying: "We are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country".

In his victory speech, Mr Trump said it was time to heal the divisions caused by the long campaign and find common ground.

"It is time for us to come together as one united people," he said.

"I will be president for all Americans."

His comments were a departure from his rhetoric on the campaign trail, when he called Mrs Clinton "crooked" and supporters at his rallies chanted "lock her up".

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