Retired colonel and former coup leader Mr Lucio Gutierrez today celebrated his victory in Ecuador's presidential elections by inviting his rival to work with him.
With nearly all votes counted, official results showed that Mr Gutierrez had obtained 54.4 per cent of yesterday's vote against 45.6 per cent for billionaire Mr Alvaro Noboa, a banana tycoon and the country's wealthiest man.
A spokesman for Mr Noboa told reporters he had acknowledged defeat but would "continue working for the benefit of the people of Ecuador".
Outgoing President Mr Gustavo Noboa - no relation to the candidate - has invited Mr Gutierrez to go to the government palace tomorrow. The new president takes office on January 15th.
Mr Gutierrez urged his election rival Mr Alvaro Noboa "to unite with me for the good of the country and to forget the offensive rhetoric that we exchanged on the campaign trail".
AFP