Hillary vows support for former rival

Hillary Rodham Clinton is bowing out of the presidential race, saying yesterday she will rally support for Barack Obama, as the presumptive Democratic nominee begins the delicate search for a running mate amid pressure from his former rival's supporters to choose her.

Clinton, armed with a battle-tested campaign team and husband who was a popular two-term president, was initially seen by many as unbeatable. But her hopes of becoming the first woman US president faded as Obama chipped away at her early lead to become the first black nominee to lead a major American party.

Their hard-fought battle created rifts within the Democratic Party that Clinton's public show of support would help heal.