President Barack Obama defeats Romney to win re-election

President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

President  Obama secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.

In his victory speech before supporters in Chicago, Mr Obama said he would talk to Mr Romney about "where we can work together to move this country forward".

Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a hard-fought challenge by Mr Romney.

His Democrats also retained their majority in the Senate, which they have held since 2007, while Republicans kept control of the House.

With Florida's 29 electoral votes still undecided, Mr Obama won 303 electoral votes to Mr Romney's 206.Mitt Romney conceded defeat.


"We have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come," President Obama said.