Ecuador's leader names 4 new cabinet ministers

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa has replaced four cabinet members who stepped down to pursue legislative seats in the National Assembly, a presidential statement said Monday. Correa named Carlos Larrea as the new chief of the defense ministry, Gladys Tapia as head of the environment ministry. Fabricio Proano is to lead the policy coordinator ministry. Raul Poveda will take over the strategic sectors ministry from Jorge Glass, who resigned to become Correa's vice presidential running mate in the upcoming general elections next February. Correa also appointed Leonardo Berrezueta to become private secretary of the presidency, replacing Gustavo Jalkh, who left to become the ruling Alianza Pais (Country Alliance) party's candidate for the newly-established National Judicial Council. Correa, who has been in office since 2007, is seeking to be re-elected in the Feb. 17 polls that is expected to extend his presidency from 2013 to 2017.