New Bolivian president promises early polls

Eduardo Rodriguez automatically became president, after Congress accepted President Carlos Mesa's resignation late Thursday and two congressional leaders first in line for the post declined the job.

A 49-year-old Supreme Court chief justice, Rodriguez was sworn in to replace Mesa, whose 19-month-old US-backed free-market government crumbled this week in the face of the mounting protests and violence in the streets.

Hoping to quell the fury of tens of the protesting indigenous poor, students, miners, coca leaf farmers and labour activists, Rodriguez declared he would work with lawmakers on key reforms to heal growing rifts in South America's poorest nation.

"Bolivia deserves better days," Rodriguez told lawmakers after he automatically became president and Congress accepted Mesa's resignation. Two congressional leaders first in line for the post declined the job. "I'm convinced that one of my tasks will be to begin an electoral process to renew and continue building a democratic system that is more just."

Under Bolivia's constitution, Rodriguez must call presidential elections within 180 days.

Evo Morales, an outspoken critic of the United States who has been a key figure in the opposition protests that brought down Mesa this week, said early national elections are key to defusing the country's political and social crisis.