US Democratic Senator Barack Obama on Saturday officially announced his candidacy for president in the 2008 elections, which could make him the first black president of the country.

Obama made his announcement in Springfield, Illinois, where he was elected in 2004 to the Senate for the first time.

"We can build a more hopeful America," he said in remarks announcing his candidacy, which were broadcast alive by TV networks.

"And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States," said Obama, who was born in August 1961.

The first-term senator took the first step toward running for the White House on Jan. 16, when he announced on his Web site that he was forming an exploratory committee.

Obama was considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and one of his major rivals was Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, who announced to set up her exploratory committee only four days after Obama's declaration last month.

Obama planned to visit Iowa on Saturday and Sunday, the first state to hold caucus in the presidential primaries, and New Hampshire on Monday, which would hold the first primary.

About 10 people have announced their intentions or decisions to seek the Democratic presidential nomination. Besides Obama and Clinton, the candidates or potential candidates include former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, the party's vice presidential nominee of 2004; Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who ran an unsuccessful bid in 2004; Senators Joseph R. Biden of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut; New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

A number of polls released recently showed Obama and Clinton enjoyed more public support than other Democratic hopefuls. 

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2007)