Thread: Police ring off Mexico parliament

Police ring off Mexico parliament
By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Mexico City

Police in Mexico have erected steel barriers around the Congress building in the capital after fighting broke out with political demonstrators.

Protesters had gathered to challenge the result of the presidential election but this was the first time since protests began that violence erupted.

The supporters of losing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are demanding a full recount of the vote.

Federal police have denied that they were heavy-handed.

At least eight people were injured in the scuffles which only lasted a few minutes but saw police us batons and teargas to break up the crowd.

The protestors say one senator suffered bruising to his ribs and a congressman had minor head wounds.

Federal police say they asked the protestors to move but they refused.

Fraud claims

In two weeks of protests, thousands of supporters of Mr Lopez Obrador have set up camp in the capital's central square, claiming he was the real winner in the disputed election.

They say the vote, which gave victory to conservative candidate Felipe Calderon, was invalid because of widespread fraud.

Millions of ballot papers have been recounted and the results of that are now being examined by a panel of judges.

But Mr Lopez Obrador says only a full recount is acceptable - something Mr Calderon has already rejected.

He has urged Mr Lopez Obrador to give up the protests but Mr Lopez Obrador says he is fighting on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4796689.stm

Apparently, the Mexican government doesn't object to all fences!

But Mr Lopez Obrador says only a full recount is acceptable - something Mr Calderon has already rejected.

How can Mr. Calderon reject anything, he hasn't been delcared the President of Mexico yet.