Mexican president appoints new interior minister
Mexican President Vicente Fox appointed Carlos Abascal Carranza as interior minister on Thursdayto replace Santiago Creel, who is to run in the presidential election in 2006.

"I instructed him to promote the values upheld by the government of the democratic change, which always keeps its doors open to dialogue," said Fox upon the appointment of Abascal, who was previously the labor minister.

In his first message as the interior minister, Abascal pledged to guarantee that the general elections of 2006 "will be fair, transparent, respectful and trustworthy" in Mexico.

He offered the commitment that his ministry will "guarantee the autonomy of the Electoral Federal Institute in the 2006 process."

Creel resigned Tuesday evening in a bid to seek the presidential candidacy.

Fox highly praised Creel's work after his resignation, saying he had contributed to the country's political stability and democratic governance.