President-elect vows to 'fight forces of division'

Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the scale of the task ahead of him in a short speech following his victory in the second round of the French presidential elections.

Addressing supporters at the Louvre following his victory over far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, the 39-year-old former finance minister said that his priority was to, 'calm people's fears, restore the confidence of France and gather all people together to face the immense challenges of the future'.

He described his election as a 'great honour and an immense responsibility', and said his speech was directed not just to his supporters but to all citizens of France.

He said that he understood the 'anger, anxiety and doubt' that had driven people to 'vote for the extreme' - but vowed to spend his years in office 'fighting the forces of division that undermine France'.

He said he would 'guarantee the unity of the nation and ... defend and protect Europe'.