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Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo to rebut impeachment Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo to rebut impeachment
(40 minutes later)
Paraguay's left-wing President Fernando Lugo is due to appear at impeachment proceedings against him in the upper house of parliament, the Senate.Paraguay's left-wing President Fernando Lugo is due to appear at impeachment proceedings against him in the upper house of parliament, the Senate.
The lower house voted on Thursday to impeach Mr Lugo over his handling of clashes between farmers and police in which at least 16 people died.The lower house voted on Thursday to impeach Mr Lugo over his handling of clashes between farmers and police in which at least 16 people died.
Mr Lugo has vowed to defend himself. Mr Lugo has asked the Supreme Court to suspend the trial. Both houses of parliament are opposition-controlled.
His 2008 election ended 61 years of rule by the right-wing Colorado party. Both houses of parliament are controlled by the opposition. His 2008 election ended 61 years of rule by the right-wing Colorado party.
The vote in the House of Deputies was passed with an overwhelming 76-1 majority. Reports suggest only five out of 45 senators support Mr Lugo. The vote in the House of Deputies to impeach Mr Lugo was passed with an overwhelming 76-1 majority. Reports suggest only five out of 45 senators support Mr Lugo.
In an appeal filed with Paraguay's Supreme Court, Mr Lugo's lawyers said the proceedings do not ensure due process, and that the president should be granted more time to prepare.
The Senate's decision to schedule the trial for Friday gave Mr Lugo 24 hours to ready a defence.
Supporters of Mr Lugo gathered amid tight security outside the National Congress building in the capital Asuncion before the trial was due to start at midday (16:00 GMT). A vote is expected at 16:30 (20:30 GMT).Supporters of Mr Lugo gathered amid tight security outside the National Congress building in the capital Asuncion before the trial was due to start at midday (16:00 GMT). A vote is expected at 16:30 (20:30 GMT).
There are fears the vote could prompt violent street protests.There are fears the vote could prompt violent street protests.
'Poor performance''Poor performance'
The impeachment motion accuses Mr Lugo of a "poor performance" during the forced land eviction on Friday, in which seven police officers and at least nine farmers were killed. The impeachment motion accuses Mr Lugo of a "poor performance" during the forced land eviction last Friday, in which seven police officers and at least nine farmers were killed.
Speaking on national television on Thursday, Mr Lugo said he would not resign, but "face the consequences" of the trial. He accused his opponents of carrying out an "express coup d'etat".Speaking on national television on Thursday, Mr Lugo said he would not resign, but "face the consequences" of the trial. He accused his opponents of carrying out an "express coup d'etat".
The Union of South American Nations has send an urgent mission of foreign ministers to Paraguay to "ensure the right to defend democracy".The Union of South American Nations has send an urgent mission of foreign ministers to Paraguay to "ensure the right to defend democracy".
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa warned that the regional bloc could invoke its "democracy clause" to sever ties with Paraguay and even close its borders if Mr Lugo is not tried according to "due process".Ecuador's President Rafael Correa warned that the regional bloc could invoke its "democracy clause" to sever ties with Paraguay and even close its borders if Mr Lugo is not tried according to "due process".
BBC regional analyst Leonardo Rocha says South American countries are worried that Mr Lugo, Paraguay's first left-wing president, is the victim of a political trial by the Colorado party and other right-wing groups.BBC regional analyst Leonardo Rocha says South American countries are worried that Mr Lugo, Paraguay's first left-wing president, is the victim of a political trial by the Colorado party and other right-wing groups.
Land clashesLand clashes
During the clashes in eastern Canindeyu province that prompted the impeachment move, more than 300 police officers tried to evict 150 landless farmers from an estate owned by a wealthy businessman who is also a political opponent of Mr Lugo.During the clashes in eastern Canindeyu province that prompted the impeachment move, more than 300 police officers tried to evict 150 landless farmers from an estate owned by a wealthy businessman who is also a political opponent of Mr Lugo.
The eviction escalated into violence and the farmers opened fire on the police.The eviction escalated into violence and the farmers opened fire on the police.
The farmers have argued the land was illegally taken during the 1954-1989 military rule of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and distributed among his allies.The farmers have argued the land was illegally taken during the 1954-1989 military rule of Gen Alfredo Stroessner and distributed among his allies.
Land disputes are not unusual in Paraguay, where a small fraction of the population owns about 80% of the land.Land disputes are not unusual in Paraguay, where a small fraction of the population owns about 80% of the land.
When he was elected in 2008, Mr Lugo campaigned for the needs of the poor and had promised land for some 87,000 landless families.When he was elected in 2008, Mr Lugo campaigned for the needs of the poor and had promised land for some 87,000 landless families.
On Wednesday, in an attempt to calm tensions over the incident, Mr Lugo said he would open an investigation into what happened.On Wednesday, in an attempt to calm tensions over the incident, Mr Lugo said he would open an investigation into what happened.
Paraguay's constitution states that when a president is impeached, the vice-president must take over for the remainder of the original term in office.Paraguay's constitution states that when a president is impeached, the vice-president must take over for the remainder of the original term in office.
His term ends in August 2013 and the next presidential elections are due in April of that year.His term ends in August 2013 and the next presidential elections are due in April of that year.