Ecuador's Gutierrez in Brazil for asylum
Ecuador's ousted President Lucio Gutierrez has arrived in Brazil for asylum, four days after being toppled.

Reports say Gutierrez, his wife, and one of his two daughters were taken by police from Brazil's embassy in Quito and flown out on board a Brazilian air force plane.

Crowds outside the embassy tried to stop his departure.

Mauricio Gandara, Ecuador's Interior Minister, said: "We did not provide the time of departure due to security reasons, especially for security reasons for civilians, because we have the obligation not only to protect the embassy of Brazil but also to protect civilians. Imagine if they are upset against Gutierrez and complications arise during his departure."

Gutierrez was granted the asylum on Wednesday, but had been holed up in the ambassador's residence awaiting permission from the new Ecuadorean government to leave the country.

The Brazilian government granted a two-year asylum to Gutierrez.

Brazil's Justice Ministry will say in the next few days what limitations the ousted leader would have while in Brazil.

Gutierrez was forced out following a week of massive street protests in Quito against alleged corruption and abuse of power in his government.

The South American country has had seven presidents in the last nine years, three of them forced from office.

The Organisation of American States, the OAS, has not yet recognised Ecuador's new government.