Chavez asks parliament to postpone inauguration

Mexico City: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has asked parliament to postpone his inauguration scheduled for Jan 10 citing doctors' recommendations, Vice President Nicolas Maduro said.

Maduro said Chavez submitted with the parliament a relevant request asking to be sworn in at a later date.

Chavez, 58, who has ruled Venezuela for 13 years, underwent four operations for cancer and four courses of chemotherapy in Cuba and Venezuela within a year. He underwent his fourth surgery to remove cancerous tissue in Cuba Dec 11.

According to latest official reports, Chavez is being treated for "respiratory deficiency" after complications from a severe lung infection.

Venezuela's opposition has already accused the government of violating the constitution as it stipulates that new presidential elections must be held within 30 days if Chavez is not fit enough to be sworn in on the scheduled date.

IANS