U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated his successor, Donald Trump, in a phone call and invited him to the White House.

His office said in a statement on Wednesday in Washington that the meeting with Mr. Trump was planned for Thursday.

Mr. Obama also called Hillary Clinton and “expressed admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country.

The president would make a statement from the White House later on Wednesday to discuss the election results and “what steps we can take as a country to come together after this hard-fought election season.”

The White House said that “ensuring a smooth transition of power” is one of Mr. Obama’s top priorities.

Republican Mr. Trump defeated Democrat Mrs. Clinton in a surprise result that saw him win key battleground states like Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

In his victory speech, Mr. Trump said he received a congratulatory phone call from Mrs. Clinton and congratulated her for running a strong campaign.

He pledged to unite the U.S., saying “I say it is time for us to come together as one united people.”