Colombian pres. in RI meeting with mayor

PROVIDENCE R.I. (AP) - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has received an honorary key to the city of Providence following a brief meeting with Mayor David Cicilline.

Uribe met privately with Cicilline and shook hands with supporters but did not take questions from reporters during an appearance at Providence City Hall on Thursday.

Uribe is scheduled to address the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Providence on Friday.

A conservative who is closely allied with Washington, Uribe told Cicilline that his administration had set a “great example of efficiency” in running the city.

Uribe told a business forum last month that it would be “inappropriate” to seek a third consecutive term as president but has not expressly ruled out making a bid. The Senate approved a referendum that would ask voters to permit him to run again.