An Ecuadorean soldier stands guard at a gas station while clients wait in line in Quito March 19. After two weeks of anti-government protests and with an original hike of 165 percent in fuel prizes, President Jamil Mahuad toned down economic measures to tackle the country's worst financial crisis in decades. Mahuad lifted a nationwide state of emergency on March 18, nevertheless the army is still being posted at gas stations.

CD/RC