Protests resume in Bolivia
Thousands of demonstrators on Monday resumed a series of street protests in Bolivia to demand the nationalization of the country's lucrative oil and gas industry, local press said.

Demonstrators started a rally in the administrative capital of Bolivia, La Paz, to press for the nationalization of the country's gas and oil industry along with other demands.

In the city of El Alto, 14 km from La Paz, a general strike was staged, demanding the nationalization of the oil industry without payment of compensation to foreign oil firms in the country.

The biggest opposition party, Movement to Socialism (MAS), organized the demonstration on San Francisco Square in La Paz.

MAS leader Evo Morales requested "modifying the new Hydrocarbons Law," enacted by the congress last Tuesday, to include increases in the payment of taxes and royalties on foreign oil firms.

Trade unions and grass roots organizations participated in the demonstrations, demanding the resignation of President Carlos Mesa and the closing of congress.

Riot police and the military reinforced security and vigilance on Murillo Square in La Paz, where the country's executive and legislative branches are located.

Interior Minister Saul Lara rebuffed reports about a possible coup in the country, saying the armed forces "have renewed their obedience to the civil power" and that "they will only intervene in an extreme case."

The armed forces, in a communique issued on Sunday, said they would only intervene should there be a social chaos.

The demonstrations in La Paz and El Alto were largely peaceful, although there have been minor clashes between the police and demonstrators.

The current unrest in Bolivia was sparked by a law passed by the congress establishing a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia.

Opponents first demanded higher taxes but gradually turned their demand to the nationalization of the lucrative oil and gas industry.