Haiti's provisional electoral council has ruled that the hip-hop star Wyclef Jean is not eligible to run as a presidential candidate.
The 40-year-old US-based singer-songwriter, who is popular in his impoverished and earthquake-ravaged homeland, formally registered to stand earlier this month but has been left off a list of approved candidates published by the council.
A council member told Reuters Mr Jean did not meet several of the legal requirements for standing in the November election to choose a successor to President Rene Preval, who cannot run again after two terms.
For one thing, the Haitian constitution requires candidates to have lived in the country for five years before an election.
Ruling accepted
Following the ruling, the BBC reports, Mr Jean issued a statement saying he respectfully disagreed with the council's decision but accepted it and urged his supporters to do the same.
"We must all honour the memories of those we have lost - whether in the earthquake, or at any time - by responding peacefully and responsibly to this disappointment," he said.
"I want to assure my countrymen that I will continue to work for Haiti's renewal."
The musician had argued that his appointment as a roving ambassador for Haiti in 2007 exempted him from the residency requirement.
