WORLD BRIEFING / PERU
Peruvian President Alan Garcia’s Cabinet chief will step down in the face of opposition demands for his ouster over deadly clashes between police and Amazon tribes in resource-rich jungles in northern Peru.
Prime Minister Yehude Simon said he plans to resign after persuading the Peruvian Congress to repeal two controversial laws native groups say would speed up the destruction of their jungle habitat.
“I am going to go for sure as soon as calm returns in the coming weeks,” he said on RPP radio, a day after apologizing to indigenous leaders and acknowledging the government had failed to win their support before passing the laws.
At least 34 people died in police raids ordered 11 days ago to end blockades of roads and rivers in the forest.
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