Washington, Oct 26 (IANS): Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has announced that he will vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in the November 8 elections.

Powell, a Republican statesman, revealed his vote on Tuesday in a speech during the annual fall luncheon of the business group Long Island Association, New York, Efe news reported.

"I am voting for Hillary Clinton," said Powell, explaining that the Democratic candidate is "smart", has "experience" and has the right "temperament".

"The other candidate (Republican Donald Trump) is not qualified to be president. He has insulted African-Americans. He has insulted women. He has insulted his own party. He has insulted our allies around the world one by one by one. He has insulted veterans," said the former Secretary of State who served from 2001 and 2005.

Finally, Powell said: "he (Trump) says, 'believe me, trust me,' I don't believe him. I don't trust him. 'Make America great again'. What does make America great again mean? You want to take me back to 50 years ago? No thanks!"

Powell's views on the New York mogul have been already known since hackers leaked some emails in September in which he described Trump as a "national disgrace" and "international pariah".

In those documents, Powell also criticised Clinton for using a private email server when she was the Secretary of State in 2009-2013.

Minutes after hearing the news, Clinton thanked him for the vote on Twitter: "proud to have the endorsement of General Powell, a decorated soldier and distinguished statesman."