Ecuador Ends Emergency State

President Leon Febres Cordero today lifted a state of emergency he imposed last week after a mutinous general seized an air base in the capital. A government statement said there is no longer any need for the emergency state “thanks to the patriotic and disciplined action of the military.”

Army commandos recaptured the base Friday and arrested rebel Gen. Frank Vargas Pazzos after a 90-minute machine-gun battle at the adjacent international airport. At least four people were killed and nine wounded. A military court began proceedings against Vargas today.