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Leaders gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez Crowds gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez
(about 2 hours later)
Leaders from Latin America and beyond are gathering in the Venezuelan capital Caracas for the funeral of President Hugo Chavez. Leaders from Latin America, and old allies from outside the region, are gathering in Caracas for the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
After the funeral, Mr Chavez's body will be taken to a military museum to lie in state for another seven days.After the funeral, Mr Chavez's body will be taken to a military museum to lie in state for another seven days.
More than two million mourners have already filed past his body at a military academy. With the government urging Venezuelans to celebrate his life, more than two million people have already filed past his body at a military academy.
Mr Chavez's body is to be embalmed and placed on permanent display, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro says. His remains will be embalmed and placed on permanent display.
Later on Friday, Mr Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. As such, he must call elections within 30 days. Later on Friday, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. As such, he must call elections within 30 days.
Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died on Tuesday aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died on Tuesday aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.
More than 30 heads of state are expected to attend Friday's funeral including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Cuban President Raul Castro and Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Mr Maduro could be seen on Friday comforting distraught mourners, who have been gathering since the early hours.
President Ahmadinejad has praised Mr Chavez as a "martyr" and a "wise and revolutionary leader". Chavez 'the martyr'
Meanwhile, President Sebastian Pinera of Chile arrived at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas early on Friday, telling reporters that the thoughts of Chile were with Venezuela at a difficult time. More than 30 heads of state are expected to attend the funeral including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Cuban President Raul Castro and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
US Congressman Gregory Meeks and former Congressman William Delahunt will represent the United States at the funeral of Mr Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington. Mr Ahmadinejad praised Mr Chavez as a "martyr" and a "wise and revolutionary leader".
Mr Maduro said that Mr Chavez's body would be embalmed "like Lenin and Mao Zedong", and put on display for at least another seven days. Congressman Gregory Meeks and former Congressman William Delahunt will represent the US at the funeral of Mr Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington.
Among the regional leaders arriving on Friday was President Sebastian Pinera of Chile , who told reporters at the airport in Caracas that the thoughts of Chile were with Venezuela at a difficult time.
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.
Mr Maduro said the building would be converted into a new "museum of the revolution". The building will be converted into a new "museum of the revolution", Mr Maduro said.
Mr Chavez's supporters want him eventually interred in Venezuela's national Pantheon alongside Simon Bolivar, the 19th Century independence leader the late president claimed as his political inspiration. Mr Chavez's supporters want him eventually interred in Venezuela's national Pantheon alongside Simon Bolivar, the 19th-Century independence leader the late president claimed as his political inspiration.
However, Venezuela's constitution says people can 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 was re-elected for a fourth term as president last October after saying he had recovered from his illness.Mr Chavez 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.
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