Court rejects 3rd term for Colombian pres

BOGOTA, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he accepts a court's rejection of a referendum that might have allowed him a third term in office.

In a 7-2 vote Friday, Colombia's constitutional court ruled against a referendum to amend the constitution to allow a president to serve three terms.

Uribe, in a statement, said he accepted the court's decision, which is not subject to appeal, the BBC reported Saturday.

Lead Justice Mauricio Gonzalez said the referendum plan contained "substantial violations to the democratic principle."

After the ruling was announced, former Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said he would seek the presidency in the May 30 election to safeguard Uribe's legacy.

Santos has been Uribe's ally in government efforts against left-wing Farc rebels. Santos, who is popular in Colombia, would be running against Sergio Fajardo, an independent praised for his work as mayor of Medellin.