The Mexican authorities have released nearly 600 university students who were detained after protesting against an increase in tuition fees.

The federal attorney-general's office said it had released 579 of the 745 students detained on Sunday.

The police raid ended a nine-month strike at the National Autonomous University of Mexico - Latin America's largest university.

Eighty-nine people were still being held on arrest warrants or other evidence, and 77 minors had been turned over to a juvenile court.

The attorney-general's office said that those released could still could face charges. Those who led the strike could be accused of illegal occupation and terrorism.

Reconciliation

The strike, and occupation of the university grounds, disrupted classes for more than 250,000 students.

It caused widespread divisions among the student body, with some backing the university authorities in calling for an end to the action. Others said they would boycott classes until all those arrested were freed.

A BBC correspondent in Mexico City says the decision to press charges will make reconciliation difficult.

The French news agency AFP reported that students were planning further protests in the city centre.

University spokesman Roberto Vivanco said that classes would resume after officials had cleaned up the graffiti and rubbish left by the protesters.

But it was not clear how many would turn up to lectures - many students had already abandoned the university for jobs or other institutions.