Romanian president says monarchy won't be restored

The Romanian President, Emil Constantinescu, has said he will not accept any attempt to restore the monarchy in Romania, and that another referendum on the issue is out of the question.

Speaking in a live television address, Mr Constantinescu said any change to Romania's republican constitution would be illegal and immoral.

Romanians voted overwhelmingly in favour of enshrining the republic in the constitution in a referendum in 1991.

The president's remarks came a few days after the exiled former King, Michael, announced that he wanted to return to Romania.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service