You can't love your country only when you win.. you can't love your neighbour only when you agree

OUTGOING president Joe Biden urged Americans to come together in the wake of Donald Trump's election victory.

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

The US leader urged unity in the wake of the divisive election, in which his vice president Kamala Harris was soundly beaten at the ballot box.

Speaking yesterday in the White House Rose Garden, Biden - who is still in post until January 20 - said the people deserve a peaceful transition.

Mr Biden, 81, said: "For over 200 years, America has carried out the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world.

"That's not hyperbole. That's a fact.

Where the people vote and choose their own leaders, and they do it peacefully. And we're in a democracy.

The will of the people always prevails." Biden added: "I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory, and I assured him that I'd direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition."

He went on: "I know for some people it is a time for victory. For others, it's a time of loss.

"Campaigns are contests of competing visions. The country chooses one or the other, we accept the choice the country made.

"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree.

"Something I think you can do, no matter who you voted for, is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans. Setbacks are unavoidable... we all get knocked down but the measure of our character is how quickly we get back up.