General Colin Powell on 'Meet the Press' yesterday. - AP

WASHINGTON (AP):

Democrat Barack Obama won the endorsement yesterday of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican and fellow African-American who served as the country's top diplomat in the first George W. Bush administration. He called the Illinois senator a "trans-formational figure".

The politically powerful endorsement from Powell, a retired general and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, could do much to undercut Republican opponent John McCain's argument that Obama is not ready and too risky to serve as the United States commander-in-chief.

"I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Senator John McCain," Powell said on NBC television.

McCain's strongest campaign credentials are his long background in military and national security affairs, and he is a hero of the Vietnam war, during which he was held prisoner for 5 1/2 years.

MCAIN'S SUPPORT BASE

He said he was not surprised by the Powell endorsement of Obama, but noted he has the backing of four other former secretaries of state and scores of past and present military leaders.

Obama called Powell to thank him for the endorsement, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

"I am beyond honoured and deeply humbled to have the support of General Colin Powell," Obama said in remarks prepared for a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina. " ... He knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we all need to come together as one nation - young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Republican and Democrat."