The United States condemned a statement from Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh rejecting the result of a Dec. 1 election that spelled the end of his 22-year rule.

Jammeh had initially accepted the result and called his opponent Adama Barrow to concede defeat on state television, The New York Times reported.

"This action is a reprehensible and unacceptable breach of faith with the people of The Gambia and an egregious attempt to undermine a credible election process and remain in power illegitimately," said Mark Toner, spokesman at the US Department of State.

Source: MENA