MEXICO CITY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Violence flared again in Mexico's tourist city of Oaxaca where protesters are seeking to oust the state governor, and President Vicente Fox's government on Monday vowed to resolve the conflict before its term ends in November.

"We absolutely commit ourselves to resolving the problem of Oaxaca before this administration ends its mandate on Nov. 30," said Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar. Fox will hand over to President-elect Felipe Calderon.

Over the weekend, one man was shot in the arm and protesters chased Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz from a luxury hotel after he was seen in public for the first time in months.

Oaxaca protesters seeking to oust Ruiz are marching on Mexico City, and Ruiz will meet with Fox later on Monday in an attempt to resolve the conflict after talks between Ruiz and the protesters ended last week without resolution.

Ruiz wants Fox to send in federal police to end the protests, although Fox appears reluctant to do that.

The pretty colonial city, popular with vacationers for its mezcal alcoholic drink and colorful markets, has been effectively paralyzed for months by the protests.

Five people have died in recent months as protesters have agitated for Ruiz' resignation in a conflict that started over a teachers' strike. Indian groups and left-wing radicals later joined the protests.

Demonstrators, many from poor areas outside the city, have barricaded roads and burned buses, emptying the city of tourists and forcing hotels to close down. Anti-Ruiz graffiti has been daubed on almost all buildings in the city.

Critics say Ruiz has been heavy handed in his response to the strike, at one stage sending riot police to try to dislodge striking teachers from the city's main square.

As the 4-month-old clash comes to a head, Ruiz told teachers over the weekend to return to work or face losing their jobs.

Calderon has called the unrest the biggest problem facing Mexico and has urged Fox to solve it quickly. Fox has said he cannot force Ruiz to resign and there's no sign he is pressuring the governor to step down.

On Sunday, the U.S. State Department extended for another month its warning against U.S. citizens traveling to Oaxaca, although Fox's spokesman Aguilar insisted that there have been no problems for tourists.

AlertNet news is provided by