In front of thousands of flag-waving supporters in Washington DC, newly re-elected US President George W. Bush appealed for national unity Wednesday after securing a second four-year term following a bitter and divisive election campaign.

"I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent," Bush, flanked by his wife, daughters and Vice President Dick Cheney. "To make this nation strong and better I need your support and will work to earn it."

Bush nevertheless called his victory by more than 2 million votes a "broad" one and praised the record voter turnout that helped him to more votes than countless presidents before him.

"America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens," Bush said.

Promise to continue in Iraq, Afghanistan

On Wednesday, the pivotal state of Ohio was given to Bush, pushing him over the necessary 270 electoral votes needed for re-election. After polls showed John Kerry was still more than 100,000 votes behind in Ohio with all the precincts reporting, the Kerry campaign decided to concede rather than start a legal battle.

In addition to promising to heal the rift that has opened in America during his first term and the past year of a bitterly-contested election, Bush promised to continue to help "the emerging democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan ... so that they can grow in strength and defend their freedom.

"And then our service men and women will come home with the honor they have earned," Bush said. "With good allies at our side, we will fight this war on terror with every resource of our national power."

"The United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith," he concluded. "I see a great day coming for our country and I am eager for the work ahead."