Mexico independence party moved

Mr Lopez Obrador's rally precedes a convention of his supporters

Fears of disruption by demonstrators have forced Mexican President Vicente Fox to move Independence Day celebrations outside the capital.

A government spokesman said the event was moved from Mexico City to the city of Dolores Hidalgo because of fears of radical groups planning violence.

Thousands turned out to watch Mr Fox wave the flag and say "Viva Mexico".

Supporters of defeated presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador held their own rally in Mexico City.

The gathering followed the dismantling of their tent city in the capital after weeks of disruption.

'Violent plot'

Mr Fox gave "el grito" - the independence cry of "Viva Mexico!" - from the town of Dolores Hidalgo, 270km (170 miles) north of Mexico City, where in 1810 national hero Miguel Hidalgo established the movement for independence from Spain.

Mr Fox has asked Mexicans to respect the election results

On Friday, a presidential spokesman said "solid information" that radical groups were plotting violent clashes had prompted the move.

"The only factor that was taken into account... was to defend the lives of people," said Ruben Aguilar, according to Reuters news agency.

"Under no circumstances can lives be put at risk."

Mr Aguilar refused to give any details of the alleged plot.

Mr Lopez Obrador had declared the president's decision to relocate the protest as a victory, after his supporters said they would hold a rival Independence Day party in the capital's vast main square, the Zocalo.

'Parallel government'

Mr Lopez Obrador plans to convene a so-called National Democratic Convention of his supporters later on Saturday.

We will not only begin a new stage of our movement, but begin the construction of a new Republic Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Crisis reflects Mexico colour

They will discuss the future direction of the movement to reject the government of Felipe Calderon, the conservative candidate declared winner of Mexico's elections ahead of Mr Lopez Obrador by a margin of less than 1%, he said.

"We will, with the Convention, not only begin a new stage of our movement, but begin the construction of a new Republic - this is the purpose of the [Convention]," he said in remarks reported by Efe news agency.

It is also thought that the establishment of a "parallel government" to that of Mr Calderon, who is due to take office on 1 December, will be part of the discussions.

This would be the latest stage in the bitter dispute over the 2 July elections, which saw Mr Calderon attract just 240,000 more votes than Mr Lopez Obrador in a country with an electorate of 40 million.