US Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president, expressing his commitment to helping him defeat President Donald Trump in the general election as the two agreed to establish a series of task forces to cooperate on policy matters.

Iran Press/America: "We need you in the White House. I will do all that I can to see that that happens, Joe," Sanders said to Biden during a live stream broadcast by Biden's campaign on his website and on social media.

The endorsement of Biden by his leading Democratic rival marks a key moment for Democrats as the party seeks to unify and turn its focus toward a November match-up with President Donald Trump, according to CNN.

Sanders' quick endorsement of Biden in mid-April, just five days after he suspended his campaign, was a stark contrast to the 2016 Democratic race when Sanders continued to battle Hillary Clinton into June and waited until July to endorse her.

"I think that your endorsement means a great deal," Biden said. "It means a great deal to me. I think people are going to be surprised that we are apart on some issues but we're awfully close on a whole bunch of others. I'm going to need you -- not just to win the campaign, but to govern."

The two said they had agreed to form six task forces to work on policy matters. Those working groups will cover the economy, education, criminal justice, immigration, climate change, and health care.

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