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Mexican riot police occupy Oaxaca Mexico riot police re-take Oaxaca
(about 6 hours later)
Mexican riot police have occupied the southern city of Oaxaca, where protesters have been rallying against the state governor for five months. Mexican riot police have seized control of the southern city of Oaxaca, ending a five-month occupation by striking teachers and leftist activists.
Backed by helicopters and armoured trucks, police destroyed a street barricade erected by demonstrators, but met little resistance. The demonstrators had been calling for the resignation of the state governor.
The unrest began when striking teachers and leftists occupied the town centre. The 4,000 federal officers, backed by armoured trucks and helicopters, met little resistance. One man is reported to have died in the operation.
But now some 70,000 teachers, who were demanding higher pay, have reportedly agreed to return to work on Monday. The president ordered the action after gunmen killed three people, including a US journalist, on Friday.
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. The federal police were met with little resistance when they entered the city from several directions.
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. Water cannons were used to split up small groups of protesters. Barricades made of burning tyres and old furniture were pulled down.
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.
In pictures: Oaxaca clashesIn pictures: Oaxaca clashes
An interior ministry statement called for "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property". One man is reported to have died after being hit by a tear gas canister.
President Fox ordered the offensive on Saturday, a day after gunfire killed two Mexicans and a US cameraman working with independent news group Indymedia.
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.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.
At least six people have been killed since the unrest began in May. Political tensions
The demonstrators have been seeking to oust Gov Ruiz, whom they accused of abuse of power. The demonstrators have been seeking to oust Gov Ruiz, whom they say has rigged elections and over-used force to try to break up the protest.
President'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 initially 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. However, 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.
Critics accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business. Some 70,000 teachers have voted to return to school on Monday - a move which may ease tensions in the city, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Mexico.
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. However, some protesters have said they will continue to fight for the removal of Mr Ruiz.
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 Fox, who leaves office on 1 December, may have succeeded in bringing the stand-off to an end, but the underlying political tensions remain, our correspondent says.