BARACK Obama has been re-elected as President of the United States after defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Obama, America's first black president, won a second term in office after securing the 270 votes in the electoral college required to win the race.

With three states still to report results, including swing states Virginia and Florida, Mr Obama has won 281 electoral votes to Mr Romney's 203.

A narrow victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed victory for the President while other important swing states, Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, also fell to Mr Obama.

President Obama told supporters his win "wasn't fate and it wasn't an accident".

In an email sent to people signed up to his campaign, he said: "Friend, I'm about to go speak to the crowd here in Chicago, but I wanted to thank you first.

"I want you to know that this wasn't fate, and it wasn't an accident. You made this happen.

"You organised yourselves block by block. You took ownership of this campaign five and ten dollars at a time. And when it wasn't easy, you pressed forward.

"I will spend the rest of my presidency honouring your support, and doing what I can to finish what we started.

"But I want you to take real pride, as I do, in how we got the chance in the first place.

"Today is the clearest proof yet that, against the odds, ordinary Americans can overcome powerful interests.

"There's a lot more work to do.

"But for right now: Thank you. Barack"

At his headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, Governor Mitt Romney addressed a ballroom full of the Republican party faithful to thank them for their support and offer his congratulations to President Obama.

He told them: "Thank you my friends, thank you so very much. I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory. His supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations.

"I wish all of them well, but particularly the president, the first lady and their daughters.
"This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation."

Governor Romney thanked his running mate Paul Ryan, saying he hoped he would continue to use "his intellect and his hard work and his commitment to principle" for the good of the nation.
After paying tribute to his wife Ann and his family for their support, he went on to thank his campaign team for their "extraordinary effort, not just for me but for the country that we love".

Governor Romney then addressed the challenges America now faces, saying: "The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this we can't risk partisan bickering and political posturing.

"Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people's work and we citizens also have to rise to the occasion."

He called on teachers and professors, pastors and priests to inspire children and enforce the "enduring principles" on which American society was built - "honesty, charity, integrity and family" - and asked employers and job creators to continue to invest and hire staff.

He also appealed to those across the political divide to "put the people before the politics".

Governor Romney said: "I believe in America. I believe in the people of America, and I ran for office because I am concerned about America.

"This election is over, but our principles endure. I believe that the principles upon which this nation are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to a new greatness."

Telling his supporters he and Mr Ryan had "left everything on the field" in their campaign efforts, he said: "I so wish that I had been able to fulfil your hopes to lead the country in a different direction, but the nation chose another leader, and so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.

"Thank you and God bless America. You guys are the best, thank you so much. Thanks guys."