Washington: Setting his agenda for the second term in office, US President George W Bush pledged to continue the fight against terrorism with "every resource," help emerging democracies of Afghanistan and Iraq to grow in "strength and freedom" and earn the trust of those who did not back him during the elections.

"With good allies at our side, we will fight this war on terror with every resource of our national power so our children can live in freedom and peace," an elated Bush told his jubilant supporters shortly after his Democratic rival John Kerry conceded defeat in the keenly-contested Presidential elections.

"We will help the emerging democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan so that they can grow in strength and defend their freedom, and then our servicemen and women will come home with the honour they have earned," he said last night (Nov 3, 2004).

Bush's speech offered an olive branch to the Opposition when he said he would "seek to earn the trust of those who did not back him during the long, contentious campaign".

In an explicit appeal to those who voted for Kerry, the President said, "To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out the whole nation.

Outlining his domestic agenda for the next four years, he said, "We will continue our economic progress, reform the outdated tax code, strengthen social security for the next generation, we will uphold the deepest values of family and faith."