Ecuador's former president offered asylum in Brazil

Gutierrez ousted after street protests
QUITO, Ecuador (CNN) -- Brazil's ambassador said Thursday his country has granted asylum to Lucio Gutierrez, the ousted president of Ecuador, and was negotiating with Ecuador to arrange for his safe passage out of the country.The ambassador made the statement in an interview with Radio Colombiano.Gutierrez sought asylum Wednesday from the Brazilian Embassy in Quito.Ecuadorian lawmakers removed Gutierrez from office Wednesday and replaced him with Vice President Alfredo Palacio, following days of intensifying street protests.