US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) looks down during her South Dakota and Montana presidential primary election night rally in New York June 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

US senator Hillary Clinton told her supporters Thursday that she will "strongly support" senator Barack Obama, who beat her in this year's Democratic presidential nomination race.

In an email letter sent to her supporters, she confirmed news reports that she will end her presidential bid and endorse Obama on Saturday.

"On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans," said the letter.

"I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise," it added.

Clinton's spokesman Howard Wolfson and other aides said she would express support for Obama and party unity at an event in Washington.

However, it is still unknown that whether it will be a unconditional quitting or just a suspension of her campaign.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2008)