Ecuador's Correa threatens journalist with arrest

QUITO, May 15 (Reuters) Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said today he would seek the arrest of a journalist who criticised his government, angering media and the opposition in the volatile Andean country.

An editorial in March in La Hora newspaper headlined ''Official vandalism'' accused the populist Correa of governing with ''sticks and stones'' in a dispute with Congress and bringing out his supporters to stop fired lawmakers from getting into parliament.

''Once we find out who the author of this editorial is, we will ask for his temporary arrest,'' Correa told reporters after meeting a prosecutor investigating the libel suit he launched on Friday against La Hora for the editorial. The government gave no details on the timing of the lawsuit.

The popular Correa has threatened other media with lawsuits, but has said he would drop the proceedings against La Hora if it apologised publicly.

La Hora executives have said the daily will not apologize and will fight the lawsuit in court.

El Universo newspaper from Guayaquil wrote, ''If the lawsuit continues ... it would silence critics' voices which are crucial in any democracy.'' ''It's clear that this government is seeking totalitarian powers,'' fired opposition lawmaker Freddy Bravo told Reuters.

''He first hit the courts, then Congress and now the press.'' A court fired 57 of Ecuador's 100 lawmakers in March after they tried to block a referendum to set up an assembly to rewrite the constitution. Ecuadoreans overwhelmingly backed the creation of the new body in April, which could sap the influence of the country's old political elites.

Protesting their dismissal, the lawmakers on several occasions tried to fight their way back into Congress but were blocked by Correa supporters who hurled sticks and stones at them and slashed their car tires.

Reuters SM VP0140