Canada's Conservative Party on Tuesday vowed to work for a "strong, United, independent, free" country after winning the 39th general election.

The Conservatives, led by Stephen Harper, won 124 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons, the Election Committee said early on Tuesday.

The Liberals ranked second with 103 seats followed by Bloc Quebecois with 51 seats. New Democratic Party got 29 seats.

The results will only allow the Conservatives to form a minority government.

In a speech early Tuesday, Harper thanked Canadians for giving him the chance to "bring changes to Canada".

"We will honor your trust and we will deliver on our commitment," a beaming Harper told a cheering crowd in his ride in Calgary, Alberta.

Harper, a Toronto-born economist and former Reform MP who has pushed the Conservative Party toward the political middle, promised to clean up the government and end the "culture of entitlement" that he says has marked successive Liberal governments.

"I have never been so proud of our great country, and I am honored and overwhelmed to be asked to lead it," Harper told the crowd.

Earlier, Liberal leader Paul Martin conceded defeat and gracefully offered congratulations to Harper.

He also announced that he would step down as the party leader although he will continue to serve in the parliament.

Source: Xinhua