Kerry concedes, but says nation needs healing

DEMOCRATIC Senator John Kerry conceded defeat in a hard-fought US presidential election yesterday saying he had offered President George Bush congratulations on his victory but that the nation needed healing.

"We cannot win this election," the Massachusetts senator said in an emotional campaign farewell in Boston.

In an appearance in Faneuil Hall where he launched his quest for the White House more than a year ago, Mr Kerry said of his call to Mr Bush: "We talked about the danger of division in our country and the need the desperate need for unity, for finding common ground and coming together.