BRASILIA, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The Brazilian government agreed to grant political asylum to ousted Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez, a Brazilian Foreign Ministry official said Wednesday.

    According to a statement by the ministry released earlier in the day, Gutierrez entered the Brazilian embassy in Quito, Ecuador's capital, late Wednesday seeking asylum.

    It said that the granting of political asylum is "a regional tradition."

    Gutierrez was removed from office Wednesday after days of street protests, a vote in the Congress that stripped him of authority, and a statement of no confidence from the armed forces.

    Then, Alfredo Palacio, who took office as the new president of Ecuador, ordered the immediate closure of borders in the country to prevent the escape of politicians sought by justice, including Gutierrez. Enditem