Lugo has faced rising opposition to his rule among members of Paraguay's congress [Reuters]

In a statement released on Wednesday, Fernando Lugo named new commanders for the army, air force and navy, but did not give an explanation for the sackings.

The president, whose win in last year's election brought an end to 61 uninterrupted years of rule by the Colorado Party, has sought to make good on promises to provide more resources to the poor, but has been challenged by the opposition-controlled congress.

On Tuesday Lugo had denied the there was danger of a military overthrow, prompted by rumours of a coup attempt and reports of tank movements near the Brazilian border.

"I can assure you as commander in chief of the armed forces that, institutionally, there is no danger of a military coup," he said.

"There could be small military groups that are connected to or could be used by the political class, but institutionally, the military does not show any intent of reversing the process of democratic consolidation."

Congress opposition

While Lugo's election win was a shock to the Colorado Party, the president's supporters are still in the minority in congress and politicians opposed to Lugo have sought to remove him from office before his term expires in 2013.

A majority of politicians in congress said last week they were set to call for an impeachment trial over comments that Lugo allegedly made which some interpreted as a call for class warfare.

Lugo, a former Roman Catholic bishop, has denied making such a statement, but he said on Tuesday that Paraguay's politicians should do more to help those in the country who are living in poverty.

He said that the rich "[sit] comfortably in air-conditioned offices" while the poor "survive on just one meal a day if they are lucky ... without safe drinking water, surrounded by misery".

Lugo does not have enough votes in congress to make sweeping changes in Paraguay and even some of his supporters have said that he needs to do more to overcome his opponents.

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