Ecuador's army chief dissolves 3-man junta
QUITO, Ecuador, Jan 22: Buckling to US pressure, Ecuador's military chief dissolved a three-man junta early today just hours after forming it and said the vice-president would assume power, reports AP.
The move followed a confusing whirlwind of events that began Friday morning when Indian protesters joined by junior military officers stormed key government buildings demanding President Jamil Mahuad's ouster.
Gen Carlos Mendoza told Ecuador Radio that he called on Mahuad to step down and later joined the junta to "prevent a bloodbath." He asked that the officers who took part in the uprising not be punished.
There was no immediate confirmation of when Vice President Gustavo Noboa might assume the presidency. Constitutionally, he is next in line.
There was no confirmation that the immensely unpopular Mahuad, who fled the presidential palace during the rebellion, had resigned after 17 months in office. In a televised address Friday afternoon he vowed not to step down.
Mendoza said his decision to dissolve the junta came after discussions with US officials.
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