General remains in Guatemala despite attacks

A retired general who took part in negotiations to end Guatemala's civil war says he plans to form his own political party.

The general, Otto Perez, vowed not to be driven out of the country and local media say he' expected to run for president in two-thousand-and-four.

His statement comes two days after gunmen carried out separate attacks on his wife and daughter: his wife escaped injury, but his daughter Lizeth Perez suffered several gunshot wounds. She's reported to be in stable condition.

Last November, his son's car was also fired on, injuring his daughter-in-law. Mr Perez said he believed the attacks were politically motivated.

He's been a strong critic of President Alfonso Portillo and of the former military ruler and current president of congress, Efrain Rios Montt.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service