Obama wins US presidential race

Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama is set to become the first black president of the United States, as Republican John McCain concedes defeat.

In a live televised feed from the BBC, Mr McCain addressed an unhappy crowd, letting them know that he had called Mr Obama to congratulate him on his win.

Mr Obama has so far claimed 338 electoral votes, while Mr McCain has won 155. The BBC said 270 electoral votes was needed to win the overall presidential race.

Mr Obama will be inaugurated as the country's 44th president on January 20 next year.

Kenya, where Mr Obama's father is from, said it will declare a national holiday.