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Venezuela holds Hugo Chavez state funeral Venezuela holds Hugo Chavez state funeral
(35 minutes later)
Venezuelans have paid an emotional farewell to the late President Hugo Chavez at his state funeral in Caracas.Venezuelans have paid an emotional farewell to the late President Hugo Chavez at his state funeral in Caracas.
The ceremony was attended by leaders from Latin America and beyond as huge crowds of supporters massed outside.The ceremony was attended by leaders from Latin America and beyond as huge crowds of supporters massed outside.
Vice-President Nicolas Maduro told mourners Mr Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, remained "undefeated, pure, living for all time".Vice-President Nicolas Maduro told mourners Mr Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, remained "undefeated, pure, living for all time".
Later on Friday Mr Maduro is to be sworn in as acting president. He must call elections within 30 days.Later on Friday Mr Maduro is to be sworn in as acting president. He must call elections within 30 days.
The main opposition coalition accused the government of turning the funeral into a political rally.The main opposition coalition accused the government of turning the funeral into a political rally.
It is also boycotting Mr Maduro's swearing-in arguing that - under the constitution - the speaker of the National Assembly should be the one to take over as acting president.It is also boycotting Mr Maduro's swearing-in arguing that - under the constitution - the speaker of the National Assembly should be the one to take over as acting president.
But in a decision made public as the funeral went ahead, Venezuela's Supreme Court ruled in Mr Maduro's favour.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles condemned the ruling as "constitutional fraud" and said the inauguration of Mr Maduro was "spurious".
"No-one elected you president, Nicolas," he said.
Mourning
Hugo Chavez, 58, died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.Hugo Chavez, 58, died on Tuesday after a two-year battle with cancer.
The vice-president began the funeral ceremony by presenting Mr Chavez's coffin with the sword of Simon Bolivar - the 19th-Century independence leader he claimed as his inspiration.The vice-president began the funeral ceremony by presenting Mr Chavez's coffin with the sword of Simon Bolivar - the 19th-Century independence leader he claimed as his inspiration.
In his eulogy, Mr Maduro said no other leader had been as vilified as Mr Chavez, but no-one had been able to stop him or his socialist "revolution".In his eulogy, Mr Maduro said no other leader had been as vilified as Mr Chavez, but no-one had been able to stop him or his socialist "revolution".
"The humble, the poor, the oppressed - we are his living testimony", Mr Maduro said."The humble, the poor, the oppressed - we are his living testimony", Mr Maduro said.
He also praised Mr Chavez's work for Latin American unity, and said he worked for "a world without empires".He also praised Mr Chavez's work for Latin American unity, and said he worked for "a world without empires".
More than 30 world leaders attended the ceremony, including Cuban President Raul Castro, Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.More than 30 world leaders attended the ceremony, including Cuban President Raul Castro, Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.
A message was read out from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.A message was read out from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
People lined up outside the military academy for the second consecutive day to see Hugo Chavez's body. The atmosphere was festive, with live music blasting through speakers.People lined up outside the military academy for the second consecutive day to see Hugo Chavez's body. The atmosphere was festive, with live music blasting through speakers.
At the same time, foreign dignitaries from more than 30 countries, including Cuba's Raul Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, started arriving for the state funeral.At the same time, foreign dignitaries from more than 30 countries, including Cuba's Raul Castro and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, started arriving for the state funeral.
The ceremony started with the national anthem played by Venezuela's famous Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra, directed by Gustavo Dudamel, director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.The ceremony started with the national anthem played by Venezuela's famous Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra, directed by Gustavo Dudamel, director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Vice-President Nicolas Maduro placed a replica of the sword used by Simon Bolivar, the 19th-Century revolutionary, on top of Mr Chavez's coffin.Vice-President Nicolas Maduro placed a replica of the sword used by Simon Bolivar, the 19th-Century revolutionary, on top of Mr Chavez's coffin.
All presidents were then called one by one to stand by the coffin in groups of eight for a minute of silence. Mr Castro went first. Mr Ahmadinejad kissed the coffin.All presidents were then called one by one to stand by the coffin in groups of eight for a minute of silence. Mr Castro went first. Mr Ahmadinejad kissed the coffin.
The ceremony ended with a speech by Mr Maduro on Mr Chavez's legacy. "Chavez lives. The fight goes on," he said.The ceremony ended with a speech by Mr Maduro on Mr Chavez's legacy. "Chavez lives. The fight goes on," he said.
Honour guards were made up of prominent Venezuelans, including student leaders and baseball players, Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado and conductor Carlos Dudamel.Honour guards were made up of prominent Venezuelans, including student leaders and baseball players, Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado and conductor Carlos Dudamel.
Mourners inside the venue chanted "Chavez did not die, he multiplied!"Mourners inside the venue chanted "Chavez did not die, he multiplied!"
ReconciliationReconciliation
Ecumenical prayers were led by three religious leaders, including the American civil rights activist, Rev Jesse Jackson, who called for reconciliation between Venezuela and the US.Ecumenical prayers were led by three religious leaders, including the American civil rights activist, Rev Jesse Jackson, who called for reconciliation between Venezuela and the US.
"We share the same hemisphere, we play ball together, we trade resources together, we share dreams together," he said."We share the same hemisphere, we play ball together, we trade resources together, we share dreams together," he said.
Outside, huge crowds dressed in the red sang "Chavez lives!" and "The struggle continues!"Outside, huge crowds dressed in the red sang "Chavez lives!" and "The struggle continues!"
More than two million people have filed past Mr Chavez's coffin, and his body is to be put on permanent display.More than two million people have filed past Mr Chavez's coffin, and his body is to be put on permanent display.
On Thursday, Mr Maduro said that Mr Chavez's body would be embalmed "like Lenin and Mao Zedong".On Thursday, Mr Maduro said that Mr Chavez's body would be embalmed "like Lenin and Mao Zedong".
The body will be moved to the Caracas military museum where in 1992 Mr Chavez - as an army officer - was captured after leading a failed coup.The body will be moved to the Caracas military museum where in 1992 Mr Chavez - as an army officer - was captured after leading a failed coup.
The building will be converted into a new "museum of the revolution", Mr Maduro said.The building will be converted into a new "museum of the revolution", Mr Maduro said.
Supporters want him eventually interred in Venezuela's national Pantheon alongside Simon Bolivar.Supporters want him eventually interred in Venezuela's national Pantheon alongside Simon Bolivar.
However, under Venezuela's constitution, people may only be admitted to the Pantheon 25 years after their death.However, under Venezuela's constitution, people may only be admitted to the Pantheon 25 years after their death.
Mr Chavez, 58, was re-elected for a fourth term as president last October after saying he had recovered from his illness.Mr Chavez, 58, was re-elected for a fourth term as president last October after saying he had recovered from his illness.
He named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor following the recurrence of his cancer.He named Mr Maduro as his preferred successor following the recurrence of his cancer.
The vice-president is to be sworn in as acting president after the funeral in a special session of the National Assembly.The vice-president is to be sworn in as acting president after the funeral in a special session of the National Assembly.
Under Venezuela's constitution, elections must be called within 30 days and the government has said it will abide by this.Under Venezuela's constitution, elections must be called within 30 days and the government has said it will abide by this.
Mr Maduro will be the candidate for the governing United Socialist Party (PSUV).
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Are you in Caracas to see the body of Hugo Chavez lying in state? Are you in the capital for the funeral? You can send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Caracas to see the body of Hugo Chavez lying in state? Are you in the capital for the funeral? You can send us your comments using the form below.
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