Obama nominated for president by Democrats

Barack Obama has officially been nominated as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.

His former rival Hillary Clinton called for the roll call of votes to be suspended and for Mr Obama to be nominated by acclamation during the party’s national convention in Denver, Colorado.

The former first lady said she was acting “in the spirit of unity”.

The 47-year-old Illinois senator is the first African American to become the presidential nominee of a major party.

Representatives of Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama struck a deal setting ground rules for the roll call vote that handed the nomination to Mr Obama, while also allowing Mrs Clinton's supporters to express their support for her.

Polls show that a significant number of Clinton supporters have refused to fall in line behind Mr Obama, who beat Mrs Clinton in an often bitter primary season, and some activists have formed the Party Unity My Ass political group.

Mrs Clinton cut off the vote after around one hour and called for Mr Obama to be nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

She said: “On behalf of the great state of New York, with appreciation for the spirit and dedication of all who are gathered here, with eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let’s declare together, in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president.”

The auditorium erupted in cheers and a resounding “aye”. Several delegates were in tears.

And House speaker Nancy Pelosi barely paused for breath when she asked if anyone disagreed with the motion before moving on to declare Mr Obama as the party’s candidate.

He will deliver his acceptance speech in front of a crowd of around 75,000 people at the Invesco Field stadium in Denver on Thursday night.