Ecuador chaos as police revolt

THE government of Ecuador declared a state of siege last night after police officers, furious over legislation that cuts their benefits, attacked the president, shut down airports and blocked motorways in a nationwide strike.

Officers in the South American nation pushed President Rafael Correa and pelted him with tear gas and water when he tried to address them at a police barracks in the capital.

Mr Correa, 47, was admitted to hospital to be treated from the effects of the gas.

The state of siege puts the military in charge of public order, suspending civil liberties and allowing soldiers to carry out searches without a warrant.

Hundreds of officers involved in the insurrection took over barracks in Quito, Guayaquil and other cities. Some blocked roads with burning tyres, cutting off the main routes to the capital.

Schools shut down and many businesses closed early due to the absence of police protection that left citizens and businesses vulnerable to crime.

Looting was reported in the capital - where at least two banks were raided - and in the coastal city of Guayaquil. That city's main newspaper, El Universo, reported att