The constituent assembly in Ecuador, which in April voted to carry on meeting and grant itself extra powers in defiance of President Fabian Alarcon and Congress, has concluded drawing up a new constitution.

The country is facing a run-off in the presidential election next month and the assembly's members hope the new legal code will take effect once Mr Alarcon hands over power to his successor on August the tenth.

However, Mr Alarcon has insisted that the assembly's mandate expired at the end of April and any reforms introduced since then should be rejected.