Zapatista rebels deny attack plan

Subcomandante Marcos hints at change

Mexico's Zapatista rebels have said they do not plan to resume military activity despite putting their forces on red alert earlier this week.

In a statement, Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos said the movement was consulting on "something else" - without specifying.

He said the results of the consultation would be made known very soon.

The Zapatista campaign for more indigenous rights has been largely peaceful for more than 10 years.

The rebel group took up arms against the Mexican state in the south-eastern state of Chiapas - Mexico's poorest state - in January 1994, when at least 150 people died in clashes.

Broader agenda?

In a statement on Monday, Subcomandante Marcos sparked concern of a return to violence.

"As of today, the EZLN [Zapatista National Liberation Army] has put the entire rebel-held territory under a red alert," Monday's statement said.

But on Thursday, Subcomandante Marcos said: "We are not, for our part, planning or consulting about a return to offensive military combat."

He indicated that the group may be contemplating broadening its focus beyond rights for indigenous Indians.

"Those who supported us in our exclusively Indian fight can distance themselves, without shame or remorse, from this 'something else'," said his statement.

On Thursday, the Mexican government admitted it had been wrong when it said on Tuesday that marijuana plots allegedly found growing in rebel-dominated areas were actually located in Zapatista territory.

Some analysts said the red alert was a Zapatista measure in anticipation of government raids.