QUITO: Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso on Wednesday dissolved the National Assembly, the country's legislature, by decree amid its impeachment process against him, Xinhua quoted local press reports.

Lasso made the announcement early in the day, citing a constitutional mechanism that allows the president to dissolve the National Assembly, call general elections and rule by decree for six months.

During an impeachment hearing on Tuesday, Lasso denied charges brought by the majority opposition in the assembly that he embezzled public funds.

On Wednesday, military personnel were deployed inside and outside the National Assembly headquarters in the capital Quito, as metal fences were put in place.

Legislators who were inside the building were removed while others were prevented from entering, according to National Assembly communications staff.

Interior Minister Juan Zapata arrived on the scene to ensure compliance with the decree and reinforce security in case of possible violence.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador condemned the decision to dissolve the National Assembly, and announced an "extraordinary council" in the next few hours to analyse the situation and decide what its next steps will be.

-- BERNAMA