Police ring off Mexico parliament

By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Mexico City

Baton-wielding riot police surround the Congress building

Police in Mexico have erected steel barriers around the Congress building in the capital after fighting broke out with political demonstrators.

Protesters had gathered to challenge the result of the presidential election but this was the first time since protests began that violence erupted.

The supporters of losing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are demanding a full recount of the vote.

Federal police have denied that they were heavy-handed.

At least eight people were injured in the scuffles which only lasted a few minutes but saw police us batons and teargas to break up the crowd.

The protesters say one senator suffered bruising to his ribs and a congressman had minor head wounds.

Federal police say they asked the protesters to move but they refused.

Fraud claims

In two weeks of protests, thousands of supporters of Mr Lopez Obrador have set up camp in the capital's central square, claiming he was the real winner in the disputed election.

Supporters of the leftist candidate are determined to protest

They say the vote, which gave victory to conservative candidate Felipe Calderon, was invalid because of widespread fraud.

Millions of ballot papers have been recounted and the results of that are now being examined by a panel of judges.

But Mr Lopez Obrador says only a full recount is acceptable - something Mr Calderon has already rejected.

He has urged Mr Lopez Obrador to give up the protests but Mr Lopez Obrador says he is fighting on.