"This is a coup attempt, President Rafael Correa said in a television interview a few hours after police used tear gas against him.
Correa, who was forced to flee to a nearby hospital, said police were trying to reach him.
"They're trying to get into my room, perhaps to attack. Do not know," he said in a telephone interview with Ecuador's state television. "But, forget it. I will not give up. If something happens to me, I remember my endless love for my country and my family tell me that I want to finish anywhere."
A transfer Ecuador government TV showed crowds in the streets and clouds of black smoke from burning tires and garbage. Sporadic looting was reported.
Correa had gone to the streets to try to calm the situation, but was soon surrounded and pushed by a mob and forced to flee after breaking incident gas. Some pushed him were police officers in full swing.
Video from CNN affiliate Teleamazonas show Correa was bent far as he covered his face with a gas mask. Correa, who recently underwent knee surgery, leaned on a crutch with his left arm.
A press photograph later showed him lying on a stretcher.
A government helicopter had tried to get him out of the house, but could not land.
He went on the air of a hospital a couple of hours later to denounce what he called a cowardly attack.
"They gas on us - the president of the republic," said Correa in Ecuador TV telephone interview. "This is treason, the betrayal of their president."
Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino led a demonstration in favor of big government and heavy traffic at the Palacio de Carondelet, the seat of president. She urged people to take to the streets peacefully to "reject the coup" and "to rescue our President."
Patiño said, "We are not afraid of anybody."
Analysts said the precariousness of the government.
"This is the most serious protest the government of Rafael Correa has faced," said analyst Eduardo Gamarra CNN in Spanish.
Post-and-file police took over his seat, Ecuador TV, he said.
There were also reports that the military had taken control of their bases and the airport.
Government officials tried to quell the rebellion, insisting that security forces had been misinformed and warning that the nation's democracy was in danger.
"I want to tell the country that has been a coup attempt," said Gabriel Rivera Country Party Agreement.
"This is a Machiavellian plan organized by sections of the right," Rivera said in Ecuador TV.
Miguel Carvajal, internal security minister, said there was no threat to the wages or benefits. He blamed the reports of cuts to the benefits of a massive disinformation campaign.
"He who says he is lying," said Carvajal.
"We appeal to citizens. We call upon the armed forces. We call on other governments to defend our democratic institutions," he said.
A police spokesman aired on Teleamazonas to contest the government's accusations, saying the security forces, in fact, support for Correa.
"Comrades, I hear the national level, to stop this action," said the spokesman, identified as Sgt. Mejía. "Do not close the streets. Back to the streets to work."
The riots occurred as Correa has threatened to dissolve the National Assembly in a dispute about various laws, including public administration and education.
Police said they were angry, overworked and underpaid.
"We work 14 hours a day," said a uniformed officer in Ecuador TV. "We are the ones who never protest."
Another said: ". An hour without police Let's see what happens."
Diego Borja, director of the central bank went on air to urge for calm and for people to be careful.
"The police are not protecting people. They are protesting," he said. "There could be problems."
He also tried to avoid a run on deposits.
"The money is safe," he said. "But be careful taking large withdrawals."
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