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Crowds gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez Crowds gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez
(35 minutes later)
Leaders from Latin America, and old allies from outside the region, are gathering in Caracas for the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. More than 30 heads of state from around the world are gathering in the Venezuelan capital Caracas for the funeral of 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. Huge crowds have assembled outside the military academy where he has been lying in state.
With the government urging Venezuelans to celebrate his life, more than two million people have already filed past his body at a military academy. More than two million people have filed past his coffin, and his body is to be embalmed and put on permanent display.
His remains will be embalmed and placed on permanent display. Later, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. 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.
Mr Maduro could be seen on Friday comforting distraught mourners, who have been gathering since the early hours. Leaders from Latin America and beyond have been arriving at the military academy for the start of the funeral among them Raul Castro of Cuba, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia.
Outside, crowds chanted "Chavez lives!" and "The revolution continues!"
Chavez 'the martyr'Chavez 'the martyr'
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. Also attending is Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has praised Mr Chavez as a "martyr" and a "wise and revolutionary leader".
Mr Ahmadinejad praised Mr Chavez as a "martyr" and a "wise and revolutionary leader".
Congressman Gregory Meeks and former Congressman William Delahunt will represent the US at the funeral of Mr Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington.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".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.
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, 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 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.
The Vice-President is to be sworn in as acting president after the funeral, the government has said.
Under Venezuela's constitution, elections must be called within 30 days.
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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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