Bolivian President Evo Morales called for a roundtable discussion with "the parties that have obtained assembly members in the last national elections" to "preserve" democracy in the midst of a wave of protests that strikes the country, at a press conference in La Paz on Saturday.

The leader of the opposition party Civic Community Carlos Mesa rejected the proposal a few hours later, stating that he has nothing to negotiate with the president.

The president invited international organisations, churches and representatives of Pope Francis to participate in the dialogue and to witness the "coup d'etat" that he claims is taking place.

In this sense, he also encouraged social movements and citizens to continue to take to the streets to defend democracy, peace and life, carrying out peaceful demonstrations.

Morales also asked the police to "comply with the constitution and its mission to preserve, guarantee the security of the Bolivian people" and to stop the riots that have taken place in police stations throughout Bolivia.

The police mutiny, which was initiated in Bolivia's third-largest city, was joined by officers in Sucre, Santa Cruz, Tarija and Oruro, according to reports.

Protests broke out across Bolivia last month over disputed election results which gave Morales enough votes to avoid a run-off. Despite the announcement that the numbers will be audited, the protests continued as the opposition demands a new vote without Morales taking part.