Bloomberg to succeed Giuliani

Mark Green has conceded the New York mayor's race to Michael Bloomberg after a tight battle.

Green's concession has put Bloomberg in position to succeed Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican barred from seeking a third term.

Democrat Green, the city's elected public advocate, spent about £12m on his campaign.

Republican Bloomberg, the billionaire owner of the Bloomberg financial information company, is expected to spend more than £30m of his own money.

According to Common Cause, a public lobbying group, that makes it the most expensive mayoral campaign in US history.

The city's Board of Elections says it has 99% of the unofficial returns tabulated and that Bloomberg had 711,189 votes to Green's 670,413.

Mr Green's once large lead in the polls faded after the Rudolph Giuliani endorsed Mr Bloomberg as the man to guide New York through the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.