Brazil's Silva says he'd run again for president

BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazil's popular former president says he'll run again for the office in 2014, but only if his political protege and current leader Dilma Rousseff doesn't want the post.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he'll never allow a presidential candidate from Brazil's main opposition party to win an election. For that reason, he would step forward to try and fill the spot if Rousseff should decide against a second term.

Rousseff has given no indication if she will run again.

Silva ended eight years in office in January 2011 with an 87 percent approval rating. His popularity and tireless campaigning helped elect Rousseff, a relatively low-profile member of Silva's Cabinet.

Silva made the comments in an interview broadcast Thursday night on the SBT television network.