Lusaka, Zambia — Zambian President Frederick Chiluba has asked the international community not to instigate crisis in the country over his third term debate.

"I want to appeal to the international community to please help us not to fuel whatever problems there might have been. Ever since the talk of the third term started, there has never been bloodshed.

"We have discussed this matter and probably we have discussed it aggressively, but we also discussed it maturely," Chiluba said while administering the oath on 33 Ministers in Lusaka Thursday.

The Zambian leader told the nation last week he would not stand for a third term, after his supporters had campaigned for it.

The donor comunity and some members of his Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) party, are opposed to the bid, which led to the expulsion of 21 senior MMD officials.

Chilua said he allowed the debate to gauge the mood of the country, explaining that he took national interest into consideration.

"I acted prudently and responsibly..., he said, adding that he had never said he would stand for another term, when his current tenure ends later this year.

He said the international community should not create divisions between political parties, but assist in ensuring a stable political climate.

Chiluba also urged Zambians to forge ahead as a nation and avoid acts that would create the impression that the country was on a war path.

The Church, he said, should not be partisan.

"They must not associate themselves with any political group but rather, guide spiritually so that the atmosphere is not contaminated with hate, bitterness and vices that might split society," said Chiluba, who has declared Zambia a Christian State.

The Church in Zambia was among the groups that opposed his third term bid.

Meanwhile, former Finance Deputy Minister Newton Ng'uni, who is among the 21 expelled MMD members, has warned that Chiluba faces prosecution on leaving office.

He accused the President of manipulating the MMD's constitution and trying to "buy" MPs to escape impeachment.

Some 61 MPs recently signed a petition to impeach Chiluba on seven counts of "gross violations of the constitution," but nine of the MPs are said to have withdrawn their signatures from the petition list.