Donald Trump to be the 45th president of US

Republican Donald Trump has been elected as the 45th president of the United States and Mike Pence will be his Vice President.

Trump's surprising performance at the polls ended Hillary Clinton's quest to make history as the first female president of the United States.

Trump, a 70-year-old celebrity businessman who had never before run for office, is poised to become the oldest president ever elected to a first term, reports the Washington Post.

Sounding magnanimous and reconciliatory after running a highly divisive campaign, Trump said," Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country," He said, minutes after Clinton called him to concede defeat.

"I mean that very sincerely. Now, it's time for America to bind the wounds of division. We have to get together. To all Republicans, Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."

He said that under his administration, "America will no longer settle for anything less than the best." And he promised foreign countries that "while we were always put America's interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone," adding: "We will seek common ground, not hostility."

Thanking his wife, Melania, his children and campaign staff for their patience, Trump said, "This was tough. This was tough. This political stuff is nasty and it's tough.