The Andean Community (Ancom) said Saturday that it supports new Bolivian President Eduardo Rodriguez and expressed hope for the prompt restoration of order in that country.

Ancom Secretary General Allan Wagner said in a statement that the appointment of Rodriguez as caretaker president by Bolivia's congress opened the possibility of national dialogue.

Wagner hoped that tranquillity and public order will be restored in Bolivia for Rodriguez to call general elections within six months.

The elections "need support and commitment from the international community," he said.

On Thursday, Bolivia's congress appointed Rodriguez, president of the Supreme Court of Justice, as head of state following the resignation of Carlos Mesa on Monday amid weeks of demonstrations for the nationalization of the gas and oil industry and a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Rodriguez took office as the new president after the heads of Senate and the Lower House of Parliament Hormando Vaca and Mario Cossio gave up their right as successor respectively.

Ancom consists of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

Source: Xinhua