PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti's electoral commission said Friday that hip hop artist Wyclef Jean cannot run for president of this Caribbean nation, ending his outsider's bid to lead a country struggling to recover from the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Jean, who faced a challenge to his candidacy in the Nov. 28 elections because he has not lived in Haiti for the past five years as required, issued a statement urging his supporters to remain calm and respond "peacefully and responsibly to the disappointment."

"Though I disagree with the ruling, I respectfully accept the committee's final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same," he said.

The electoral commission approved 19 candidates and rejected 15.