Defeated Republican presidential candidate, John McCain has urged all Americans to unite behind President-elect Barack Obama, following the latter's decisive victory in the election, writes Mark Hennessyin Phoenix, Arizona.
The victor had achieved "a great thing" for himself and for his country, and for his family, for his late grandmother and for African-Americans, Mr McCain said in an emotional speech in the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
Standing alongside his wife, Cindy and running-mate Sarah Palin and her husband, Toddy, Senator McCain said he had been "a servant of my country for fifty years" and remained so now after his defeat.
The American people "have spoken and spoken clearly" and he said he had spoken to President-elect Obama to congratulate on winning the presidency "of the country that we both love".
His success "alone was enough to command my respect", and he committed himself to working with the US's new leader in any way that he can in coming years to restore America's economy.
"I recognise the special significance the result has for African-Americans," he said, adding that America has come "a long way" from the days of discrimination against blacks "that once stained this country's honour".
Speaking from outside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Mr McCain told his supporters: "It's natural tonight to feel some disappointment. Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours."
Paying tribute to Ms Palin, Senator McCain said she had been "a great campaigner" and would play in his country and party's life in coming years - in remarks which prompted the loudest cheers of his audience.