Zambia's Chiluba to serve God after term, reports paper

LUSAKA, Zambia (Reuters) -- Zambian President Frederick Chiluba wants to serve God after he retires as leader of the southern African country next year, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

"That is my ambition -- to serve God after my presidency," the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail quoted Chiluba as telling a church congregation in Nigeria last week.

"There can be no greater ambition in life than being the servant of the most high," said Chiluba, a devout Christian who was attending a week-long religious crusade in the West African country.

Chiluba's second and final five-year term as president ends in 2001.

Analysts have speculated that the 57-year-old former trade unionist may seek to amend the constitution to run again.

There is no obvious successor within the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). Chiluba has banned internal party debate on his succession.

Chiluba has ruled Zambia since 1991 when he ended founding president Kenneth Kaunda's 27-year hold on power.

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