The Mexican army has withdrawn from its remaining bases in the southern state of Chiapas - one of the key conditions the Zapatista rebels had set for their return to peace talks, which were suspended five years ago. The last contingent of troops left the installation of Guadalupe Tepeyac, just outside the town La Realidad - the Zapatistas' headquarters since the start of their rebellion for greater indigenous rights in 1994. But the withdrawal has raised fears of a security vaccuum. The government plans to turn the bases into development centres for the local indigenous communities. But the departure does not guarantee that peace talks will start.
Peace talks The rebels had issued two other conditions.
They wanted all Zapatista prisoners released and a package of laws guaranteeing Indian rights written into the constitution. Vicente Fox has appealed for talks to begin The prisoners are all free but legislation is still being hotly debated in congress. Even so, Mr Fox has appealed for talks to begin. But regardless of the Zapatistas' response, peace in Chiapas is still some way off. The state is deeply troubled by land disputes, religious conflicts and traffickers in drugs and illegal migrants.