QUITO (Reuters) - On the eve of Pope Francis' arrival, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa lamented on Saturday "cowardly" anti-government protests which he said were intended to spoil the first leg of the pontiff's tour of his home region.
Thousands of protesters have for several weeks taken to the streets over tax rises and alleged autocracy in government. They turned rowdy on Thursday outside the presidential palace, with several policemen injured.
