Mexican forces march in Paris for France national day

Paris (AFP) - Mexican soldiers marched down Paris's famed Champs-Elysees avenue Tuesday for France's traditional national day military parade under the watchful eye of their president Enrique Pena Nieto.

The Mexican leader was the guest-of-honour this year at France's July 14 parade, but his state visit and presence at the march drew criticism by rights groups slamming abuses by some of his country's security forces.

"Forced disappearances, torture and arbitrary detentions are common practices among Mexican security forces and police," Amnesty International said in a statement.