Mexico TV debate gets underway

The three main presidential candidates in Mexico are taking part in a televised debate which is being seen as crucial for their chances in elections in July.

It was unclear whether the encounter would go ahead after acrimonious exchanges between the three contenders -- Francisco Labastida of the governing Institutional Revolutionary Party, Vicente Fox of the National Action Party, and Cuauhtemoc Cardenas of the Party of the Democratic Revolution.

In polls taken after a first debate last month, Mr Fox was perceived as the winner, edging slightly ahead of Mr Labastida.

But since then they appear to be running neck-and-neck. Correspondents say the role of Mr Cardenas could be crucial in determining the level of support for Mr Fox.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service