ISTANBUL

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday congratulated Donald J. Trump on his election victory, which will see him return to the White House as the 47th US president.

“I cordially congratulate you (Donald Trump) on your return to the post of President of the United States of America,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying in a statement by the Belarusian presidency.

Saying that the election took place in an “unprecedented struggle,” Lukashenko wished Trump good health and "well-aimed political decisions that will make America great again.”

Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris after securing enough Electoral College votes in Tuesday's election.

Trump is leading Harris by about 5 million votes in the popular count, with 71 million votes.

The win makes Trump only the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who served two separate terms in the late 1800s, with President Benjamin Harrison in between.

Trump and his running mate JD Vance will be sworn in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.