Chile's President Sebastian Pinera said on Tuesday he will not resign in the face of protests over inequality and poor social conditions that have entered their third week.

"These problems have been accumulating for the past 30 years," Pinera told the BBC. "I am responsible (for) part of it and I assume my responsibility, but I'm not the only one."

A survey by pollster Cadem published on Sunday indicated Pinera's approval rating had plunged to 13 percent. Asked whether he will step down, the president said: "No."

How are protests being addressed?

Pinera defended his decision to declare a state of emergency but promised to look into allegations of police violence and abuse.

"There are many alleged complaints about excessive use of force and if that took place I can guarantee you that it will be investigated," Pinera said in the interview.

"There will be no impunity," he added, defending the stepped up security measures as "democratic and constitutional."

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What links Latin America protests?

Debate: Protests and economic slowdown

The BBC interview came as the president announced a package of measures for small- and medium-sized businesses hit by the unrest.

Some 6,800 companies affected by rioting, looting and fires will benefit from financial aid and tax deductions.

The government said Chile's economy grew three percent in September but it forecast a contraction of 0.5 percent in October due to the unrest.

Are the protests ongoing?

Protesters clashed with police and looted stores at the close of a huge rally on Monday that marked the start of a third week of protests in Santiago.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Plaza de Italia, the epicenter of the unrest over economic inequality, and tried to march on the presidential palace in downtown Santiago.

Fights broke out with police trying to contain them, with officers firing water cannon and tear gas. One officer was hit in the face with a Molotov cocktail.

Protesters are calling for constitutional reform. Chile's current constitution dates back to the 1973-1990 rule of Augusto Pinochet. 

The survey by Cadem indicated that 87 percent of Chileans favored such reforms.

What's the fallout been?

The violence gripping Chile forced the government to cancel the APEC trade summit in November and the COP25 climate summit in December.

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Chile says it can't host APEC, COP25

Chile's football federation on Tuesday called off an international friendly match with Bolivia slated for the National Stadium in Santiago on November 15.

The decision threw into doubt Santiago's ability to host the South American Copa Libertadores club championship final on November 23. South American football authorities were meeting in Asuncion to consider whether to maintain the Chilean capital as the venue for the showpiece.

(With input from AFP)