Protests against President Moreno’s cuts to fuel subsidies have forced the Ecuadorean government to leave Quito

The Ecuadorean army has pledged its support to President Moreno amid a nationwide strike and protests that forced the government to leave Quito, the capital.

After seven days of increasingly chaotic demonstrations across the country, caused by the removal of fuel subsidies, the military backed Mr Moreno and appealed for calm.

However, the security forces fired tear gas to break up several hundred protesters gathered close to the presidential palace in Quito yesterday. Mr Moreno has moved the administration to the port city of Guayaquil.

Thousands of protesters, led by indigenous groups and workers, have marched into the capital PAOLO AGUILAR/EPA

Mr Moreno has refused to resign or to reverse his position on fuel subsidy cuts to comply with a £3.4 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund. He has accused Rafael Correa, his predecessor, of trying to overthrow him. Mr