Bolivia military clears access to capital

Bolivia's military began to clear access routes to the capital La Paz on Saturday, after a presidential order issued under the country's state of emergency decree.

President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency that gives military broad power to remove roadblocks that have stopped fuel and food supplies to La Paz and other major cities.

These stemmed from a wave of protests which called for Paz to step down over austerity measures imposed by the government.

The demonstrations have unleashed violent confrontations between armed demonstrators and riot police.

At least 17 people have died, most of them linked to a lack of medical care caused by transportation disruptions.