Thousands of people marched in Ecuador's capital in support of President Rafael Correa, one year after a police rebellion seen as an attempted coup against his leftist government.

Hundreds of government sympathizers were brought to Quito on Friday from across the country to participate in the march with residents of the capital. Correa's government had encouraged people to mark the anniversary.

Correa said Friday that the coup attempt had failed "thanks to the public's support."

A close ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who has often had tense relations with Washington, Correa was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2009 to lead the country of 14.5 million.

Last year, the Ecuadoran leader fended off what he has called a coup attempt by mutinous police who stormed Congress, seized a police barracks and cornered him in a hospital in a protest against planned pay cuts.

He was later rescued by loyal soldiers and police following the failed September 30 uprising, in which 10 people were killed and more than 270 wounded.