Authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday he would consider running for a third term, which is prohibited under the nation's constitution, if he is asked to do so

"If certain decisions are made and it is suggested to me, then I will think" about seeking another term, Lukashenko said in remarks to students at a university. He added that he has not yet announced he plans to seek a third term. Lukashenko first hinted he might seek to extend his reign the day after his re-election in a September 2001 vote denounced by the United States and other Western countries, saying when asked about a third term that nothing is impossible. Since then, opponents have suspected Lukashenko is considering holding a referendum to change the constitution and allow him to run again. He said Friday that if he does run, "Everything will be within the framework of the law, in order to preserve the legitimacy of power." First elected in 1994, Lukashenko extended his initial term by two years through a referendum never recognized by the West. He has cracked down on dissent, isolating Belarus internationally and creating an atmosphere of fear in this nation of 10 million people.