LUSAKA Zambian President Frederick Chiluba vowed Sunday to drop his campaign to amend the Constitution to allow him to seek a third term in office, at a press conference here.

"There will never be a constitutional amendment this year," Chiluba told reporters as quoted by AFP.

His statement came one day after violent clashes between anti-third term protesters and police in Lusaka, in which Chiluba said one person died.

"I'm not going to stand. I want to make it clear, clear, clear. I'm not standing for a third term," Chiluba said.

"If they can't trust what I say, I can't help them further from what I have just said. I won't go for a third term," he added.

"I also want to put categorically that there will be no referendum. There can never be a referendum if I am not standing."

Saturday's protest followed a nationally broadcast speech by Chiluba late Friday in which he said would not run for reelection but would support a referendum on the issue, which his critics said left his intentions unclear.

Chiluba spoke at a press conference in which he announced that he would retain half of his cabinet, which he dissolved Friday, and announce the remaining posts on Monday.