Chile referendum decision 'historic': interior minister

Santiago: Chile's interior minister hailed a "historic" decision on Friday to put Chile's dictatorship-era constitution to a national vote -- a key demand by protesters after nearly a month of sometimes violent civil unrest.

"This agreement is a first step, but it is a historic and fundamental first step to start building our new social pact, and in this the citizenry will have a leading role," said Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel.