The Ecuadorian Congress January 23 appointed Gustavo Noboa as constitutional president for a mandate that ends in January of 2003, after the deposition of President Jamil Mahuad.

Ninety out of 99 legislators voted for the motion in which Noboa, formerly vice-president, was appointed president.

The legislators approved the motion filed by Social Christian Deputy Jaime Nebot, who considered Mahuad's exit of the presidencyas an abandonment and had Noboa take up the charge.

Mahuad said in a TV message that he was deposed by a coup d'etat and called on the citizens to support Noboa.