Rice 'proud' of Obama victory

An emotional US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said today that, as an African-American, she was “especially proud” Democrat Barack Obama was elected the first black US president.

Dr Rice told reporters that Mr Obama was inspirational and Republican John McCain was gracious in defeat.

She said: “You just know that Americans are not going to be satisfied until they really do form that perfect union.”

She added the US State Department would do everything it could to make the transition to a new president smooth.