The highest court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has barred the opposition leader, Jean-Pierre Bemba, from running in the presidential election due in December, upholding a ruling by the electoral commission.

Mr Bemba, a former warlord, was ruled ineligible because of a conviction at the International Criminal Court for bribing witnesses.

The popular opposition figure was recently acquitted of war crimes by the court after spending 10 years in detention. Last month he returned home to a rousing reception from his supporters.

He was thought be one of President Joseph Kabila’s most feared electoral rivals.