Peru declares state of emergency over strikes

UNPOPULAR President Alejandro Toledo has declared a state of emergency across Peru, promising to send out the armed forces to help rein in a wave of violent strikes that has crippled transit and public services in a new challenge to a stormy presidency.

"We have decided to declare a national state of emergency for 30 days so that people can exercise their personal liberties and travel freely," Toledo said in a televised address.

"The country cannot be shut down. Democracy with order and without authority is not democracy," said Toledo, elected in 2001 on promises he would restore transparency and true democracy to Peru following the corrupt, authoritarian regime of ex-president Alberto Fujimori.