Bolivia's armed forces Thursday called for an end to the country's social and political strife and said they will intervene "if necessary to preserve national integrity" and democracy, reported dpa. The warning came as farmers demanding nationalization of the energy industry occupied oil fields and Congress legislators were to vote Thursday on President Carlos Mesa's offer to resign. Armed forces commander Admiral Luis Aranda said Bolivia risked "national suicide" unless it reached "a political-social truce". He warned that the current crisis could have "unpredictable consequences" including a coup or a secessionist movement - none of which would be accepted by the army. "We exhort the members of the congress and activist groups to listen to all actors who are making their voices heard to avoid a clash between Bolivians," Aranda added in a prepared statement carried by dpa. Mesa threw in the towel this week after weeks of street protests and road blockades by farmers, workers and miners in a conflict over ethnicity and the country's oil and gas wealth. --More 2325 Local Time 2025 GMT
