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Mexican police advance on Oaxaca Mexican riot police occupy Oaxaca
(about 5 hours later)
Mexican riot police have advanced on the southern city of Oaxaca, where protesters have been rallying against the state governor for five months. Mexican riot police have occupied the southern city of Oaxaca, where protesters have been rallying against the state governor for five months.
Backed by helicopters and armoured trucks, police destroyed a street barricade erected by demonstrators, but met little initial resistance. Backed by helicopters and armoured trucks, police destroyed a street barricade erected by demonstrators, but met little resistance.
The unrest began when striking teachers and leftists occupied the town centre.The unrest began when striking teachers and leftists occupied the town centre.
But now some 70,000 teachers, who were demanding higher pay, have reportedly agreed to return to work on Monday.But now some 70,000 teachers, who were demanding higher pay, have reportedly agreed to return to work on Monday.
Hundreds of police in body armour and a Swat team armed with assault rifles filled a road leading into the town, the Reuters news agency reported. Hundreds of police in body armour and a Swat team armed with assault rifles filled a road leading into the town, the Reuters news agency reported. Water cannons were used against about 1,000 protesters.
Mexican President Vicente Fox had resisted sending forces to the region for fear of involving them in the violent confrontations. Although no major clashes erupted, a dozen soldiers in civilian clothes were held by demonstrators after they tried to pass a barricade en route to the airport, AFP reported.
But he changed tactics after three people including a US journalist died in clashes between masked gunmen and leftist protesters on Friday. President Vicente Fox ordered federal police into Oaxaca on Saturday, one day after gunfire killed a US cameraman working with independent news group Indymedia, and two Mexicans.
At least six people have been killed since the unrest began in May.
The demonstrators were seeking to oust Governor Ulises Ruiz, whom they accused of abuse of power.
An interior ministry statement called for "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property".
In pictures: Oaxaca clashesIn pictures: Oaxaca clashes
Gunfire erupted on Friday apparently after armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters. An interior ministry statement called for "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property".
The Oaxaca People's Popular Assembly, which is leading the protests, accused off-duty local policemen of firing on them. Interior Minister Carlos Abascal said it was necessary to send in troops to restore peace because of the "inability" of Governor Ulises Ruiz to handle the situation.
The dead journalist has been named as Will Bradley Roland, a cameraman working with the independent news group Indymedia. At least six people have been killed since the unrest began in May.
The demonstrators have been seeking to oust Gov Ruiz, whom they accused of abuse of power.
President's vowPresident's vow
Thousands of schools have been closed since the strike began in May, leaving 1.3 million children out of school.Thousands of schools have been closed since the strike began in May, leaving 1.3 million children out of school.
The teachers staged the walk-out, demanding higher pay and better working conditions.The teachers staged the walk-out, demanding higher pay and better working conditions.
After police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for the resignation of Gov Ruiz. The teachers were joined in their protest by left-wing groups.After police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for the resignation of Gov Ruiz. The teachers were joined in their protest by left-wing groups.
This week, striking teachers voted to return to classes but many protesters say they will not back down until Gov Ruiz is removed from office.
Critics accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business.Critics accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business.
Last week, Mexico's Senate decided by a 74-31 vote that the state government had not ceased to function, a condition necessary to remove a governor from office.Last week, Mexico's Senate decided by a 74-31 vote that the state government had not ceased to function, a condition necessary to remove a governor from office.
But the Senate recognised that conditions of "ungovernability" existed in the state and criticised Mr Ruiz for failing to bring months of violent protests to an end.
President Vicente Fox has vowed to end the conflict before he leaves office on 1 December but negotiations to find a peaceful way out have so far failed.President Vicente Fox has vowed to end the conflict before he leaves office on 1 December but negotiations to find a peaceful way out have so far failed.