Governor of Mexican massacre state resigns

The Governor of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas has resigned following the massacre of forty-five Indian peasants last month.

The Governor, Julio Cesar Ruiz Ferro, had been sharply criticised for failing to prevent the killings, which were blamed on a paramilitary group linked to the ruling Institutional Revolutionary party.

Opposition groups say the victims were killed because of their support for Zapatista rebels who took up arms four years ago.

The governor's resignation comes only days after that of the Mexican Interior Minister Emilio Charfet.

The government has now promised to disarm the paramilitaries and re-start peace talks with the rebels who are demanding better living conditions and greater autonomy for impoverished Indian communities.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service