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Democrats 'to control US Senate' Democrats 'to control US Senate'
(about 1 hour later)
The leading US news agency has called the final undecided Senate seat for the Democrats, which would give them control of the chamber. US Democrats appear to have won the final undecided Senate seat, giving them control of the chamber, according to US news agency The Associated Press.
The Associated Press (AP) news agency declared Democrat Jim Webb the winner in the state of Virginia by 7,236 votes over Republican incumbent George Allen. AP declared Democrat Jim Webb the winner in the state of Virginia by 7,236 votes over Republican incumbent George Allen.
Official results have yet to confirm a win for Mr Webb.Official results have yet to confirm a win for Mr Webb.
Democrats have already won the House of Representatives, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has resigned.Democrats have already won the House of Representatives, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has resigned.
The Republican defeat in the mid-term elections has been widely blamed on the war in Iraq, of which Mr Rumsfeld was one of the main architects.The Republican defeat in the mid-term elections has been widely blamed on the war in Iraq, of which Mr Rumsfeld was one of the main architects.
President George W Bush has named the former head of the CIA, Robert Gates, as the new defence secretary.President George W Bush has named the former head of the CIA, Robert Gates, as the new defence secretary.
'Stunning victory''Stunning victory'
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the AP call reflects the general view that it will be impossible for any recount to change the outcome.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the AP call reflects the general view that it will be impossible for any recount to change the outcome.
In Iraq and here at home, Americans have made clear they are tired of the failures of the last six years Harry ReidSenate Democratic leaderIn Iraq and here at home, Americans have made clear they are tired of the failures of the last six years Harry ReidSenate Democratic leader
The election victory has been a stunning one for the Democrats, he says, in that they appear to have won both houses of Congress for the first time since 1994.The election victory has been a stunning one for the Democrats, he says, in that they appear to have won both houses of Congress for the first time since 1994.
Their aim was to take the Senate by holding onto all their own seats and winning extra ones in traditional Republican areas, he reports, which it now seems they have achieved.Their aim was to take the Senate by holding onto all their own seats and winning extra ones in traditional Republican areas, he reports, which it now seems they have achieved.
While both parties will have 49 seats each, two independents have said they will vote with the Democrats.While both parties will have 49 seats each, two independents have said they will vote with the Democrats.
This will give Democrats control of the Senate and all committees, with the right to ratify treaties, hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.This will give Democrats control of the Senate and all committees, with the right to ratify treaties, hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid claimed victory in Virginia.Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid claimed victory in Virginia.
"The American people have spoken clearly and decisively in favour of Democrats leading this country in a new direction," he said in a statement."The American people have spoken clearly and decisively in favour of Democrats leading this country in a new direction," he said in a statement.
"In Iraq and here at home, Americans have made clear they are tired of the failures of the last six years.""In Iraq and here at home, Americans have made clear they are tired of the failures of the last six years."
Recount possibleRecount possible
The reported margin of victory in Virginia is small enough for a recount to be possible.The reported margin of victory in Virginia is small enough for a recount to be possible.
SENATE RACES DEMOCRAT GAINS: McCaskill takes Missouri Casey gains PennsylvaniaBrown gains OhioWhitehouse gains Rhode IslandTester takes MontanaWebb projected to take Virginia In quotes: ResultsSENATE RACES DEMOCRAT GAINS: McCaskill takes Missouri Casey gains PennsylvaniaBrown gains OhioWhitehouse gains Rhode IslandTester takes MontanaWebb projected to take Virginia In quotes: Results
But with 99% of votes now counted, it is thought to be virtually impossible for Mr Allen to make up sufficient ground to win.But with 99% of votes now counted, it is thought to be virtually impossible for Mr Allen to make up sufficient ground to win.
AP called the election for the Democrats after contacting election officials in all the state's 134 localities for updated voting figures.AP called the election for the Democrats after contacting election officials in all the state's 134 localities for updated voting figures.
However, the race remains officially open while officials verify preliminary counts at local polling stations before announcing the result.However, the race remains officially open while officials verify preliminary counts at local polling stations before announcing the result.
Though Mr Allen may be entitled to demand a recount, aides were quoted as saying that he did not want to drag out the process and was likely to make a decision on Thursday.Though Mr Allen may be entitled to demand a recount, aides were quoted as saying that he did not want to drag out the process and was likely to make a decision on Thursday.
'Fresh perspective''Fresh perspective'
President Bush said that he and Mr Rumsfeld had agreed that a "fresh perspective" was needed in Iraq.President Bush said that he and Mr Rumsfeld had agreed that a "fresh perspective" was needed in Iraq.
As a key architect of the war in Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld had faced growing calls to quit as violence has continued to spiral, three years after the US-led invasion.As a key architect of the war in Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld had faced growing calls to quit as violence has continued to spiral, three years after the US-led invasion.
"It's been quite a time," said Mr Rumsfeld in a short departing speech, delivered alongside President Bush."It's been quite a time," said Mr Rumsfeld in a short departing speech, delivered alongside President Bush.
Nancy Pelosi, the woman set to become the speaker of the House of Representatives, welcomed Mr Rumsfeld's resignation.Nancy Pelosi, the woman set to become the speaker of the House of Representatives, welcomed Mr Rumsfeld's resignation.
"I hope the departure of Mr Rumsfeld will mark a fresh start toward a new policy in Iraq, signalling a willingness on the part of the president to work with the Congress to devise a better way forward," she said."I hope the departure of Mr Rumsfeld will mark a fresh start toward a new policy in Iraq, signalling a willingness on the part of the president to work with the Congress to devise a better way forward," she said.