BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's influential former President Alvaro Uribe says he will resign from his Senate seat after being called to testify on allegations of witness tampering.

Uribe tweeted Tuesday that he feels "morally impeded" from continuing in his role as a senator while also mounting his defense.

For several years he has been involved in a legal dispute with another senator, Ivan Cepeda.

Uribe originally accused Cepeda of pressuring prison inmates to falsely state that he was linked to a paramilitary group.

The court found no evidence to support Uribe's claim but decided there were grounds to investigate him for manipulating witnesses.

Uribe remains a commanding force in Colombia's politics and his support helped buoy President-elect Ivan Duque's campaign.