Mexico independence event moved

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Mexico City's annual independence day event has been moved amid fears it would be disrupted by protests over a recent presidential election.

Outgoing President Vicente Fox has decided to relocate Friday's ceremony from Mexico City to the town of Dolores Hidalgo, the interior minister said.

The annual ceremony is usually held in central Mexico City.

Defeated presidential contender Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been vowing to lead a rival ceremony this year.

Thousands of Mr Lopez Obrador's supporters have been camped in Mexico City for months in protest at what they regard as a rigged election result.

Mr Lopez Obrador has refused to accept defeat in the July election, which his opponent, Felipe Calderon, won by less than 1% of the vote.

Birthplace of struggle

Earlier on Thursday, Mexico's Senate voted unanimously to urge President Fox not to hold the ceremony in the capital's Zocalo square.

Announcing the move to Dolores Hidalgo - the town regarded as the birthplace of Mexico's struggle against Spanish rule - Interior Minister Carlos Abascal said: "The federal government accepts the Senate's request today to consider a change of venue."

Mr Abascal said the move was being made to avoid a confrontation with Mr Lopez Obrador's supporters.

Earlier this month, lawmakers who support the defeated leftist candidate interrupted a speech by the conservative Mr Fox, accusing him of treachery.