Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has defended the government's spending on facilities for next year's World Cup.
Around 1 million people have been taking part in protests in the country during the Confederations Cup tournament, which is currently taking place as a rehearsal for the World Cup.
In a statement, the president said:
"With regard to the World Cup, I want to clarify that the federal money spent on the stadiums is in the form of financing that will be duly repaid by the companies and governments that are exploiting these stadiums."
She added: "I would never allow these funds to come out of the federal public budget or to damage priority sectors such as health and education.
"In fact, we have strongly expanded spending in health and education, and we will expand it more and more. I trust that the National Congress will approve the bill I presented that ensures that all oil royalties are spent exclusively on education.
"It is also imperative that I mention a very important topic that has to do with our Brazilian soul and our manners. Brazil, the only country to have participated in every World Cup and a five-time world champion, has always been very well received everywhere.
"We must give our friends the same generous welcome we have received from them - with respect, love and joy. This is how we must treat our guests. Football and sport are symbols of peace and peaceful coexistence among peoples. Brazil deserves to, and will, host a great World Cup."
The disruption and violence has also raised questions over Brazil's ability to put on a safe and secure tournament in 12 months' time, but Rousseff insisted her country would rise to that challenge.
"This violence, promoted by a small minority, cannot tarnish a peaceful and democratic movement," she continued.
"We cannot live with such violence, which shames Brazil. All institutions and public safety bodies have the obligation to curb, within the limits of law, all forms of violence and vandalism."
She added: "I would never allow these funds to come out of the federal public budget or to damage priority sectors such as health and education.
"In fact, we have strongly expanded spending in health and education, and we will expand it more and more. I trust that the National Congress will approve the bill I presented that ensures that all oil royalties are spent exclusively on education.
"It is also imperative that I mention a very important topic that has to do with our Brazilian soul and our manners. Brazil, the only country to have participated in every World Cup and a five-time world champion, has always been very well received everywhere.
"We must give our friends the same generous welcome we have received from them - with respect, love and joy. This is how we must treat our guests. Football and sport are symbols of peace and peaceful coexistence among peoples. Brazil deserves to, and will, host a great World Cup."
The disruption and violence has also raised questions over Brazil's ability to put on a safe and secure tournament in 12 months' time, but Rousseff insisted her country would rise to that challenge.
"This violence, promoted by a small minority, cannot tarnish a peaceful and democratic movement," she continued.
"We cannot live with such violence, which shames Brazil. All institutions and public safety bodies have the obligation to curb, within the limits of law, all forms of violence and vandalism."
FIFA has insisted there are no plans to abandon the tournament despite some of the demonstartions descending into violence.
mama jus dey smile.. so ow far the bus fare wey u increase?.. blaady politicians
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