Venezuela National Assembly meets amid Chavez crisis

 

Venezuela's National Assembly is due to begin its new session as the ill-health of President Hugo Chavez casts doubt over his inauguration on Thursday.

Current leader Diosdado Cabello is due to be re-elected head of the assembly - dominated by Mr Chavez's supporters.
The president is in Cuba struggling to recover from his latest round of surgery to treat cancer.
Opposition leaders are calling for new elections if he cannot be sworn in for his new six-year term on Thursday.
But Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has said the Supreme Court can swear in Mr Chavez at a later date.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Caracas says the normally routine opening of the National Assembly has been given added significance because of Mr Chavez's absence.
Under the constitution, the head of the assembly must lead the country if new elections are called.
Analysts say Mr Cabello is seen as a political rival to Mr Maduro, whom Mr Chavez has named as his successor.