Djibouti MPs scrap term limits

Djibouti, 20 April-(ANA)-Djibouti's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment which will allow President Ismael Omar Guelleh to run for a third term.

As well as abandoning two-term limits, MPs have shortened presidential mandates from six to five years and set 75 as the age limit for candidates.

Mr Guelleh, 62, won the 2005 poll unopposed, and said he would step down at the end of his second term.

The opposition fielded no candidate in 2005 and has no seats in parliament.

Mr Guelleh, known in Djibouti by his initials IOG, has not indicated whether he will run again for president.

He succeeded his uncle - Djibouti's first President, Hassan Gouled Aptidon - in April 1999.(ANA)

FA/ANA/20 April 2010-------