Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday that he supports putting former rival Hillary Clinton on the nomination ballot at this month's Democratic convention.

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) gives a speech while on vacation in Kailua, Hawaii Aug. 11, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"I am convinced that honoring Clinton's historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong, united fashion," Obama said in a statement.

Observers have been wondering for months whether there continues to be a rift between the two former opponents, and there have been several reports that Clinton supporters plan to demonstrate at the Aug. 25-28 convention in Denver, Colo.

Placing both names in nomination will serve as "a show of unity and in recognition of the historic race she ran and the fact that she was the first woman to compete in all of our nation's primary contests," said another joint statement by the campaigns of Obama and Clinton.

Former Democratic presidential candidate US Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) waves as she arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The move is largely symbolic, because Obama has already secured the majority of the votes to get the nomination.

But putting Clinton's name on the ballot will be seen as a way to respect her.

Party unity has been a big question mark for the Democrats following the contentious primary battle waged between the two senators.

The contest, for all intents and purposes, ended with an emotionally charged meeting of the Democratic Party's rules and bylaws committee.

The panel awarded Obama delegates from Michigan and Florida, evaporating Clinton's last, best hope for a comeback victory.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, are both scheduled to speak at the convention, and reports are circulating that daughter Chelsea might also be heard from on the convention stage.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)