Republican Paul Ryan elected US Speaker of the House

Republican Paul Ryan from Wisconsin has been elected as the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Hesitant to run at first, he eventually gained support of the majority of Republicans in Congress to succeed John Boehner of Ohio for the job.

The 45-year-old Ryan was Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate in the 2012 election.

He has helped determine budget and tax policy in Congress and said he only wanted the job to unify Republicans.

In his new position, he will be second in line to the presidency only behind the vice-president.

Among other responsibilities, the speaker acts as presiding officer over the lower chamber of Congress for administrative and business matters.

Ryan received roaring applause in the House chambers upon his election. He thanked Boehner for his work over the years and called him a "man of character".

He called for a "return to order" in the House, speaking frankly about the discord that has been plaguing House Republicans.

"We're not solving problems, we're adding to them," he said. "We're not settling scores, we're wiping the slate clean."

"It's not a matter of process, it's a matter of principle. Only a fully functioning House can truly represent the people."