Ecuador's political crisis: Lucio Gutierrez leaves Ecuador

Brazil's Foreign Ministry says deposed Ecuadorean President &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/16/42118.html ' target=_blank>Lucio Gutierrez is expected to leave Ecuador Sunday for exile in Brazil.

Officials said Saturday a Brazilian air force passenger jet is expected to head for Quito within hours.

Mr. Gutierrez has been at the Brazilian ambassador's residence since his ouster on Wednesday.

Earlier, Brazil said it was waiting for the right security conditions to fly Mr. Gutierrez out of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/11/26/39955.html ' target=_blank>Ecuador. Angry protesters have camped outside the residence to demand he face justice.

A prosecutor has called for the deposed president's arrest for the deaths of two people killed during recent violent protests. Ecuador's political crisis began in December, when lawmakers dismissed 27 of the 31 Supreme Court justices after Mr. Gutierrez accused them of bias against him, reports VOA News.

According to Xinhuanet, over 200 protesters blowing whistles and waving flags blocked the gates of the ambassador's residence Friday night, demanding ousted President Lucio Gutierrez remain in Ecuador to face trial.

When Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Florencio Sobrinho tried to leave, the crowd swarmed around his silver sport-utility vehicle, banging on the hood and shaking the vehicle as riot police tried to keep them back. Unable to drive past, the vehicle slowly reversed back into the compound.