Senegal court confirms third term bid for President Wade

Senegal's highest court has confirmed its approval of incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade's bid to seek a third term in next month's election, as opposition leaders vowed to continue "national resistance".

The Constitutional Council, appointed by 85-year-old Wade and known as the "five wise men", late on Sunday confirmed its original ruling that declared the president's candidacy valid.

The court said a series of appeals against its desicion were "unfounded", whilst rejecting Wade's own challenge against the inclusion of three other opposition candidates.

The court also turned down an appeal by singer Youssou N'Dour against its rejection of his candidacy on the basis that he had not provided enough supporting signatures.

The court had argued that it could not verify many of the signatures N'Dour had gathered to support his candidacy.

The ruling was a "constitutional coup d'etat", the singer said.

"Senegal and its people are sick. We have been betrayed by this shameful decision. I say shameful because neither the will of the Senegalese people nor the opinions of experts in constitutional law have been heard. Wade has imposed his will and won the day," N'Dour said.

Security has remained tight in Dakar following Friday's clashes between opposition supporters and government troops.Opposition parties and activists met on Sunday before the Constitutional Council's final decision was made public.

They said they would continue with "national resistance" against Wade's electoral bid.

Clashes broke out in the capital, Dakar, on Friday when the constitutional court first approved Wade's re-election bid.

A policeman was killed in the turmoil as angry youths, engaged in a pitched battle with the police, torched cars and shops, erected barricades and burned tyres in Dakar's main roads.

Calm returned to the capital Dakar over the weekend, but police in full riot gear have been deployed around the presidential palace, armed with tear gas, grenade launchers and truncheons.