Ecuadorean police and soldiers take over airport

Hundreds of police and soldiers protesting against a new law that cuts their benefits seized Ecuador's main airport last night and shut off highway access to the capital Quito.

The rebel police fired tear gas and burned tyres after taking over bases in Quito, Guayaquil and other major cities.

Their protests did not appear to threaten to topple the government and there were no immediate reports of injuries.

President Rafael Correa tried to speak with a group of protesters but was shouted down.

"They are a bunch of ungrateful bandits," Mr Correa said of them. "No-one has supported the police as much as this government."

Witnesses reported soldiers participating in the action that shut down the main terminal at Quito's Mariscal Sucre airport.

Last night, Ecuador's top military commander said soldiers remained loyal to president Correa. Separately, foreign minister Ricardo Patino said there had been no popular uprising, but that a demonstration by police was considered unacceptable and intolerable.

The protesters were angered by a law passed by Congress on Wednesday that would end the practice of giving members of Ecuador's military and police medals and bonuses with each promotion.

It would also extend from five to seven years the usual period required before a subsequent promotion.

The law needs to be published before it takes effect and that has not yet happened.