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Crowds gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez Crowds gather for state funeral of Hugo Chavez
(35 minutes later)
More than 30 heads of state from around the world are gathering in the Venezuelan capital Caracas for the funeral of 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.
Huge crowds have assembled outside the military academy where he has been lying in state.Huge crowds have assembled outside the military academy where he has been lying in state.
More than two million people have filed past his coffin, and his body is to be embalmed and put on permanent display.More than two million people have filed past his coffin, and his body is to be embalmed and put on permanent display.
Later, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. He must call elections within 30 daysLater, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. He must call elections within 30 days
Large crowds are outside the military academy in Caracas for a second day to catch Hugo Chavez's remains. The atmosphere is festive, with live music blasting through speakers.
An indigenous man said this funeral should be a celebration of life, as it is according to indigenous traditions. People say they are happy the government gave them another week to see the late president.
They say his embalmed body should be placed in the Pantheon in Caracas next to Simon Bolivar, the 19th-Century South American independence leader.
His supporters say Chavez is the new Simon Bolivar, and he should be remembered forever for having changed the course of history in the country.
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.
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.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!" Outside, crowds chanted "Chavez lives!" and "The struggle continues!"
Chavez 'the martyr'Chavez 'the martyr'
Also attending is Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has praised Mr Chavez as a "martyr" and a "wise and revolutionary leader".Also attending is Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has 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.
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.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.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.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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