Venezuela National Assembly re-elects Chavez ally Cabello

DHAKA: Venezuela`s National Assembly has met to choose its leader, a possible stand-in for President Hugo Chavez who is in Cuba following cancer surgery.

The assembly re-elected the incumbent Diosdado Cabello, a leading ally of Chavez, reports the BBC.

Opposition leaders are calling for new elections if the president cannot be sworn in for his new term on Thursday.

In such a situation, Cabello would become caretaker president pending the outcome of the vote.

Vice-President Nicolas Maduro has dismissed the opposition`s calls, saying the Supreme Court can swear in Chavez at a later date.

Cabello`s re-election was expected in the National Assembly, which is dominated by Chavez`s governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

BDST: 0300, JAN 06, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor