Small blast hits Colombia president campaign office

BOGOTA, Colombia, May 18 (Reuters) A small bomb today exploded outside an electoral office of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, but caused no injuries just days before elections expected to hand the conservative lawyer a second term.

The blast, which damaged surrounding buildings, targeted a campaign office of Uribe's Colombia First movement in Pereira city 180 km west of the capital Bogota, an official said. Uribe had attended a campaign event in the city yesterday.

''Fortunately there were no injuries and only material damage,'' Elkin Drews, Uribe's regional campaign director told local Caracol radio.

Polls show Uribe is favourite to win the May 28 election as his tough security policies have cut crime and kidnapping by targeting left-wing FARC rebels and the cocaine business they use to help finance their 40-year insurgency.

Authorities did not directly link the attack to the Marxist guerrillas. Backed by US financing and military aid, Uribe has promised to smash the FARC and end the conflict, but critics say he has not done enough to address social problems.

Thousands die each year in fighting involving the military, two left-wing rebel groups and rightist paramilitary militia.

Some militia have handed in their weapons in a peace initiative and the smaller ELN rebel group is in initial talks with the government.

REUTERS SI HS1951