Ecuador defence minister dies in air crash-sources

QUITO, Jan 25 (Reuters) Ecuadorean defence minister Guadalupe Larriva was killed in an air crash, military and government sources told Reuters.

Details of yesterday's accident were not immediately available.

Larriva was named as Ecuador's first woman defence minister by newly inaugurated President Rafael Correa, taking office on January 15.

A university professor and leader of the country's small Socialist party, she was also one of only a few civilians to hold the post.

She had promised to strengthen presidential control of military ranks, improve salaries for the armed forces and make the promotions system more transparent in a country where the military had helped oust three presidents in the last decade.

REUTERS PB KP0906