Leaders back Bolivia's Morales

It's a sight which would warm the heart of any President.

A march by supporters backing his policies.

But Bolivia's President Evo Morales is particularly in need of shoring up right now.

In eastern Bolivia regional leaders have called for autonomy and a greater share of wealth from natural gas.

Morales is trying to formalize rights for the country's Indian majority and redistribute land to poor peasant farmers.

The clash in views is de-stabilizing Bolivia with violent outbreaks between pro autonomy activists and Morales supporters last week leaving at least 16 dead.

South American leaders threw their support behind Morales after an emergency meeting in Chilean capital Santiago.

They fear a civil coup being forced through by leaders in Bolivia's regions.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet made clear such a leadership would not be recognised.

SOUNDBITE: Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Saying: (Spanish)

"We energetically reject and will not recognise any situation that implies a civil coup, a break in institutional order, or anything that compromises the territorial integrity of the Republic of Bolivia."

There is widespread suspicion that America is backing the breakaway regional leaders.

Morales and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez expelled the U.S. ambassadors in their countries last week.

But there are few signs of the situation stabilizing soon.

Martial law has been declared in one province after a suspected massacre by opposition supporters in which officials say between 16 and 28 people died.

Penny Tweedie, Reuters.

shoring up supporting
peasant farmer, agriculturalist; rustic, person who lives in a rural area; hillbilly, ignorant person
clash sound of objects banging together; confrontation, conflict
coup sudden successful stroke; revolution, takeover, overthrow