**Mexican President Felipe Calderon has replaced his attorney general who has been key in the government’s fight against the country’s drug cartels.**No reason was given for Eduardo Medina Mora leaving the cabinet.
More than 13,000 people have been killed since the government ordered the military to take the offensive against the drug gangs in 2006.
Mr Medina Mora said the strategy had been the right one and had produced results.
“The strategy for recovering the public’s security and the tactic of changing the way things were have been correct,” he said.
"Progress has unquestionably been made.
"The historic decision to use all the power of the state to put a stop to the power of the criminal organisations was fundamental to ensure our future as a nation.
“History will have to recognise the correctness and valour of this decision.”
President Calderon paid tribute to Mr Medina Mora:
“His professionalism, his commitment and loyalty to Mexico have been crucial in pushing forward the modernisation and the cleaning of the justice department and in hitting hard organised crime like we have done.”
President Calderon also announced that the agriculture secretary and the head of the state-owned oil company had stepped down.