President Obama called for unity and even promised to work with his rival to “move the country forward” after eking out a re-election victory over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with narrow margins in key swing states, overcoming a struggling economy and foreign policy troubles.

“You the American people reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come,” a buoyant Obama said at his victory rally in Chicago to a cheering crowd that chanted “Four more years! Four more years!”

He cited an economy now recovering and wars winding down as victories, but vowed to listen to all voices.

“Whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you,” he said. “I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever.”

Obama went out of his way to thank his opponent, saying that he plans to meet with Romney within the next few weeks to discuss “how we can move the country forward together.”

“The Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight,” he said.

A subdued Romney conceded in Boston shortly before 1 a.m. as the crowd chanted “Mitt, Mitt, Mitt.”