Bush congratulates Biden, Harris; calls election 'fundamentally fair'

Former Republican US president George W Bush has said that American people can have confidence that presidential election was "fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear".

Bush, however, also said that outgoing President Donald Trump has right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, with any unresolved issues to be “properly adjudicated.” In a statement after speaking to President-elect Joe Biden over phone, Bush said he extended his warm congratulations to Biden and thanked him for “ patriotic mess” in his national address after being declared election winner.

Bush, who was US president from 2001 to early 2009, said that while he and Democrat leader have political differences, he kws Biden “to be a good man who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.” “ President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can,” he said.

Bush, as president and Biden n as chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee had worked toger on a number of issues during Bush administration including India-US civil nuclear deal.

He also called Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her "historic" achievement.

Bush in his statement also congratulated Trump and his supporters on a hard-fought campaign.

"He earned votes of more than 70 million Americans – an extraordinary political achievement. y have spoken, and ir voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government," he said.

Trump has t conceded losing to Biden and filed numerous lawsuits claiming irregularities cost him re-election to a second four-year term.

" fact that so many of our fellow citizens participated in this election is a positive sign of health of America’s democracy and a reminder to world of its strength," he said.

“ matter how you voted, your vote counted," he said.

" American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear,” Bush said.

“ challenges that face our country will demand best of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris – and best of us all. We must come toger for sake of our families and neighbours, and for our nation and its future,” he said.

"re is problem that will t yield to gared will of a free people," Bush said.

Democrat Biden has defeated Trump to become 46th president of United States after a bitter and closely-fought presidential election - billed as one of most divisive in recent American history.

With this, all four living previous presidents of United States – Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and George Bush -- have congratulated Biden and Harris on ir historic election.

“Rosalynn joins me in congratulating our friends President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. We are proud of ir well-run campaign and look forward to seeing positive change y bring to our nation,” Carter said in a statement.

Obama spoke separately with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on Saturday. He congratulated each of m on ir historic victory and told m how proud he was of campaign y ran in unprecedented times, his spokesperson said.

“America has spoken and democracy has won. w we have a President-Elect and Vice President-Elect who will serve all of us and bring us all toger. Congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on your momentous victory!” Clinton said in a tweet. 

(Im: AP)