For my party and country

>> Biden ends re-election bid & endorses VP Kamala Harris >> He says it is time to 'come together and beat Trump'

- MARTIN FRICKER

US President Joe Biden sensationally dropped out of the American election race last night.

He said his decision is in the best interests of his party and the country.

Mr Biden, 81, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, to be the Democrats' presidential candidate.

He added that it is "time to come together and beat" Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The drama comes only four months before the election.

In a letter on social media, Mr Biden said: "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party to stand down."

Mr Biden, who said he intends to remain as president until his term ends, is due to give a TV address to the American public later this week.

There had been growing concerns about his mental and physical health.

He came under intense pressure to stand aside after a disastrous televised debate last month with Mr Trump.

It was said that very few people could convince him to step down from the election race, one being his wife Jill, 73.

Another was former president Barack Obama who said last night that Mr Biden "has never backed down from a fight", adding: "For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life."