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Democrats seize control of House
Wednesday, 8 November 2006, 08:40 GMT

The Democratic Party has won control of the House of Representatives in the US mid-term elections.

The White House conceded the Democrats had picked up the 15 net seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans for the first time in 12 years.

The Democrats are also projected to have won four of six target Senate seats - but overall control of the upper house remains too close to call.

Polls have now closed across the US, with high turnout reported.

Correspondents say the Democrat gains reflect voter discontent with the war in Iraq and Republican President George W Bush.

The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Washington says the results have changed the political landscape in the US, and the last two years of the Bush presidency will be very different from what has gone before.

With projected results still coming through, the Democrats had gained 16 House seats from the Republicans - enough to win control providing they hold their existing seats.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said the American people had "voted for Democrats to take our country in a new direction - and that is exactly what we intend to do".

Ms Pelosi - who stands to become the first female House speaker - said the Democrats would "restore integrity and honesty" to Washington and lead the "most ethical Congress in history".

Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said the White House had admitted defeat in the House.

"We believe Democrats will have control of the House, and look forward to working with Democratic leaders on the issues that remain foremost on the agenda, including winning the war in Iraq and the broader war on terror and keeping the economy on a growth path," he said.

Mr Bush has scheduled a news conference for later on Wednesday.

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Waiting on the Senate.