Bush confident of peaceful Mexican election

CANCUN, Mexico, Mar 31 (Reuters) U S President George W Bush said today he was sure Mexican elections in July will be held in peace, despite nasty campaign rhetoric and charges of Venezuelan backing for the leftist front runner.

''We certainly hope there will be a peaceful transition of power and I'm confident there will be one,'' Bush told journalists after meeting President Vicente Fox and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the beach resort of Cancun.

Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador heads opinion polls for the presidential election, ahead of Fox's favorite, Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party.

The rhetoric has recently turned nasty, and rivals have accused Lopez Obrador of receiving help from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the main U.S. foe in Latin America. Lopez Obrador denies any link to Chavez.

Fox, a conservative like Bush, ended 71 years of one-party rule at elections in 2000. He leaves office in December.

''I love to have a strong, vibrant democracy on our southern border and I want to thank the president for his strong leadership,'' Bush said. ''Democracy is a very important legacy of his administration.'' Bush this week told a Mexican newspaper he could work with whomever won the Mexican election.

Bush, Fox and Hunter discussed trade and planned U.S. immigration reforms at their talks on Thursday and Friday.

REUTERS SK RN0120