US President Joe Biden has said he couldn't let his "personal ambition" stand in the way of "saving our democracy" in an address to the nation from the Oval Office.
The speech on Wednesday was his first since announcing his decision to drop out of the presidential race.
The 81-year-old, who on Sunday abandoned his bid for a second term in the White House amid widespread concerns over his fitness, said it has been "the honour of my life to serve you as president".
The Democratic leader, who will be staying in power until the next president takes over in January, said: "The defence of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than any title."
"I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It's about you. Your families. Your futures. It's about 'We the People'.
"Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy, that includes personal ambition," Mr Biden said in his address.
US President Joe Biden pauses as he concludes his address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC, 24-7-24. Image: Associated Press / Alamy"I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation", he said.
"There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life; there's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes younger voices - and that time and place is now".
President Biden said leaving the race was "in the best interest of my party and the country".
He also thanked his "great" Vice-President Kamala Harris, whom he endorsed on Sunday as the Democratic nominee.
File photo of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris outside the White House. Image: MediaPunch Inc / Alamy"She's experienced. She's tough. She's capable. She's been an incredible partner to me, and a leader for our country," he said.
President Biden said America is at "an inflection point" and that "the decision we make now will determine the fate of the nation".
He continued: "We have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, unity and division."
He added there is "no place for political violence, or violence of any kind".
Reflecting on his 50-year career in public life, he added: "Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States - but here I am".
On the ongoing Israeli war on Palestine, he said: "I'm going to keep working to end the war in Gaza bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war."
His speech made no mention of Republican rival Donald Trump.
Ms Harris watched the president's Oval Office speech from Houston, a White House official said.
She is in Texas for a two-day trip that includes a speech to the American Federation of Teachers.
Jill Biden, who was sitting in the Oval Office for the 11-minute speech her husband gave, posted a note on X saying: "To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude.
"Thank you for the trust you put in Joe-now it's time to put that trust in Kamala. Love, Jill."
To those who never wavered, to those who refused to doubt, to those who always believed, my heart is full of gratitude.
Thank you for the trust you put in Joe—now it’s time to put that trust in Kamala.
Love,
Jill pic.twitter.com/NakOWknWlC— Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) July 25, 2024
President Biden ended his bid to be re-elected as pressure mounted on him to step aside following a series of gaffes - including mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Vladimir Putin.
He also performed disastrously in the first election debate against Donald Trump, leading to Democrats calling his performance a "slow motion car crash".
