US President Joe Biden has told Americans in a televised address that he decided to end his faltering re-election campaign in a bid to save US democracy.
Mr Biden, 81, said he felt his record as president “merited a second term” but that “nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy”.
He said he endorsed US Vice-President Kamala Harris to unite their fellow Democrats and the country.
The White House speech marked his first public appearance since he left the race on 21 July, paving the way for Ms Harris to run for the party’s nomination.
Biden sidesteps hard truths in rare primetime opportunity
Pressure had been building on him from colleagues and donors to step aside over doubts about his ability to serve another term following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump.
It was notable that he did not address how his campaign unravelled and the fact that defeat to Mr Trump looked more likely the longer he resisted calls for him to quit.
He also did not mention the questions raised about his frailty and mental competence, issues which have dominated the race for months.
Opinion polls so far suggest a Ms Harris bounce since she took over Mr Biden’s mantle, making it a tight race between her and the former president if she wins the nomination, which looks likely.
The president began his address with the words: “I revere this office, but I love my country more.”
He spoke for 11 minutes from the Oval Office, with his wife, Jill, son, Hunter, and daughter, Ashley, in the room alongside some key White House staff.
