[link to www.bbc.co.uk]

About 150 members of the security forces in Ecuador have taken over the runway at the airport in the capital, Quito, forcing it to shut down.

It comes as police and troops in the country stage protests over government plans to cut their benefits.

A bridge and main access road into the capital are reported to have been blocked by protesters.

President Rafael Correa has appeared before protesters at a barracks in Quito to appeal for calm.