Mexican general accuses bishop of rebel links

A Mexican army general has accused a prominent bishop, Samuel Ruiz, of having links to the Zapatista guerrillas in the southern state of Chiapas.

General Jose Gomez Salazar, the army commander in Chiapas, showed documents to reporters which -- he claimed -- made it clear that Bishop Ruiz was involved with the rebels.

Church officials rejected the accusation, and described the work of Bishop Ruiz as purely pastoral.

The bishop -- who is well-known for his work among Mexico's Indians -- is also a member of a commission attempting to mediate a peace deal between the Zapatistas and the government.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service