Toledo to run for president

The head of the opposition in Peru, Alejandro Toledo, has said he intends to run for president in polls to be held next April.

Mr Toledo told the BBC that he would officially launch his campaign soon.

He said he hoped to win in the first round if the opposition unites behind a single candidate.

Mr Toledo, who's visiting France, challenged Mr Fujimori in the presidential election in April.

He withdrew from the second round in protest at what he said was lack of transparency in the vote.

In September, Mr Fujimori announced he would be stepping down next year and called early elections following a bribery scandal. In France, Mr Toledo is meeting President Chirac and other government officials.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service