Opposition groups in Ecuador have begun a petition as part of their attempts to dissolve Congress and the Supreme court, which they say are corrupt.

The groups, led by the indigenous Indian movement, are hoping to collect a minimum of seven-hundred-thousand signatures, which would force the government to hold a referendum on the issue.

Last month, native Indians staged an uprising in protest against the government's economic policies, forcing the former president, Jamil Mahuad, from power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service