UPDATE - Biden withdraws from US presidential race

ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM JOE BIDEN

By Diyar Guldogan and Gozde Bayar

WASHINGTON / ANKARA (AA) - US President Joe Biden on Sunday withdrew from the race for the US presidency.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in a statement posted on X.

Biden offered his "full support and endorsement" for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as presidential candidate in the coming elections to be held on Nov. 5.

"Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this," he added.

Biden said he will address the nation later this week in more detail about his decision.

His candidacy has been in the spotlight following his dismal performance against former President Donald Trump in a presidential debate late last month.

Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin amid rising calls for Biden to withdraw from the race.