Hillary Clinton urges US to give Donald Trump a 'chance to lead'

Hillary Clinton has said her country is "more divided than we thought", as she conceded the US presidential election to Donald Trump and urged fellow Democrats to work with the president-elect.

Clinton vowed on Wednesday to co-operate with Trump, saying he was owed a "chance to lead".

Earlier Trump hadd pulled off a stunning election result, winning key battleground states including Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin to claim the presidential election.

"Last night, I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country," Clinton told supporters, holding back tears in her first public remarks since her defeat.

"I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans." 

"We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought," she said. "We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead.

"This is painful and it will be for a long time," Clinton said.

"But I want you to remember this: Our campaign was never about one person or even one election.

"It was about the country we love and about building an America that's hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted."

President Barack Obama also urged Democrats to put aside their disappointment of a Trump victory, saying they must now be "rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country".

"It is no secret that the president-elect and I have some pretty significant differences," he said.

"I want to make sure that hand-off is well executed because ultimately we're all on the same team."