Clinton concedes after major upset in US election

NEW YORK (AA) - Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on Wednesday conceded defeat to Donald Trump, who secured a stunning victory in the hardly-contested U.S. presidential race.

"I'm sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for the United States,” Clinton said in her first public remarks following the result.

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

Clinton had foregone a planned post-election address late Tuesday.

Surrounded on stage by family members, including her husband and 42nd President Bill Clinton, she told supporters in New York City that she called Trump to concede and offered to work with him.

"Donald Trump is going to be our president," Clinton said. "We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead."

Wearing purple, signifying unity between the red of the Republican Party and the blue of her Democratic Party, Clinton described her nomination as "one of the greatest honors of my life.

"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now," she said.

Clinton offered consolation to women and young people, the voter groups that gave her the biggest support.

"This loss hurts but please never stop believing that fighting for what is right is worth it," she told young people, and to women she said: "Nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion."

It was the second time a Hillary Clinton campaign for the White House ended in failure. In 2008, she ran abortively against Barack Obama for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.