Ted Cruz will vote for former rival Donald Trump

Washington: Days ahead of the crucial first presidential debate, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump scored a major endorsement after Senator Ted Cruz said he would vote for his former bitter primary rival.

Cruz, the Junior Senator from Texas, who lost out to Trump after a bitter primary fight involving at times hitting below the belt early this year, Friday said he would vote for Trump in the November general elections.

"After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. I've made this decision for two reasons. First, last year, I promised to support the Republican nominee. And I intend to keep my word," Cruz wrote in a Facebook post.

"Second, even though I have had areas of significant disagreement with our nominee, by any measure Hillary Clinton is wholly unacceptable, that's why I have always been #NeverHillary," he said.

Hitting out at the Democrat presidential nominee Clinton, Cruz said the country is in crisis and "Hillary Clinton is manifestly unfit to be president, and her policies would harm millions of Americans".

"And Donald Trump is the only thing standing in her way," he said.

"A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment. And if you don't want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him," Cruz said.

Welcoming Cruz's decision, Trump said he is greatly honored by the endorsement of the Senator.

"We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again," Trump said.