Former US President George Bush has said that the outcome of the 2020 US election was "clear".
Mr Bush added that Donald Trump held the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges.
The former Republican president also congratulated Mr Trump on his “hard-fought campaign”.
It comes after Mr Trump refused to accept the result of the election, saying that he will challenge it in the courts.
Mr Trump has refused to accept the result of the election
Getty ImagesIn a statement Mr Bush said: “He earned the votes of more than 70 million Americans – an extraordinary political achievement.
“They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government.
“The fact that so many of our fellow citizens participated in this election is a positive sign of the health of our democracy and a reminder to the world of its strength."
Mr Bush said Trump had the right to request recounts
REUTERSHe said in a statement following Joe Biden's victory that "no matter how you voted, your vote counted".
And he added that president Donald Trump had the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, with any unresolved issues to be "properly adjudicated".
“No matter how you voted, your vote counted", he said.
“President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated.
“The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear.”
