La Paz, May 21 : Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has announced he will make changes to his cabinet and create an economic and social council to bring together various social and regional sectors of the country.

The announcement represents the government's first attempt at political restructuring since protests broke out in late April, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the president, who took office in November.

"I want to announce that we are going to reshuffle the cabinet, which must have the capacity to listen. The president cannot be everywhere, the president cannot solve all the problems, but he must address all the problems," Paz told reporters at a press conference in Bolivia's capital, La Paz, on Wednesday (local time).

He said that the goal is to form a cabinet that is "more agile, more accessible and willing to listen," with a greater capacity for dialogue and for addressing the accumulated social grievances.

The proposed economic and social council will be composed of representatives of farmers, trade unions, the self-employed, transport workers, artisans and other social segments who will take part in monthly meetings with the Bolivian government.

The council will be tasked with evaluating how public policies are implemented, debating reforms promoted by the president, and countering misinformation about government measures.

The president's announcement came as Bolivia faces the most severe unrest it has seen in recent years. For more than three weeks, farmers, miners, teachers and factory workers, along with the Bolivian Workers' Central union and groups aligned with former Bolivian President Evo Morales, have been protesting and putting up roadblocks in various parts of the country.

Additionally, Bolivia's government has told the Organization of American States (OAS) that weeks of road blockades, protests and violence pose a threat to the country's democratic order, institutional stability and basic rights.

Speaking during a virtual session of the OAS Permanent Council on Wednesday (local time), Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo said Bolivia is facing rising political and social unrest, with some protesters demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.

Aramayo called on the OAS and its member states to reaffirm support for Bolivia's constitutional order and condemn political violence and actions aimed at disrupting state institutions, reports Xinhua news agency.

Bolivia has seen weeks of protests led by farmers, miners, factory workers, teachers, the Bolivian Workers' Central and groups aligned with former President Evo Morales. What began as sectoral demands has escalated into political mobilisation calling for the resignation of Paz.

Tensions rose after police and military operations last weekend in El Alto, near La Paz, to clear roads and restore access to food and fuel supplies. Officials said more than 100 people were detained.

Since Monday, protests have moved into central La Paz, where clashes, looting and damage to public and private property have been reported.

Aramayo said the government respects the right to peaceful protest and political participation, but added that no demand can justify violence, intimidation or violations of citizens' rights.

He requested the dispatch of an international OAS mission to assess the political and social situation on the ground.

/IANS