QUITO, Aug. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Ecuadorian Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin said the military will resort to the use of force " if it is necessary" in order to end demonstrations in Orellana and Sucumbios provinces where a state of emergency has been declared.

    "If strategic facilities are threatened or there are plans to destroy or sabotage, maximum force will be used," Jarrin said at his first press conference a few hours after his appointment.

    Jarrin said force will be used "when there is aggression and when violence is used."

    "Every citizen has the right to defense, also the military, or an institution which feels threatened or an institution which is prevented from doing its duty when defending a facility," he added.

    Jarrin replaced Solon Espinoza who stepped down at the request of President Palacio.

    Protests began in the northern Amazon provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana last Sunday, demanding greater spending on infrastructure, more jobs opportunities for locals by foreign petroleum companies and the expulsion of two foreign oil firms from the provinces. Enditem