World leaders gather for funeral of Hugo Chavez
More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend the funeral today, but there will be no burial as he will be embalmed.
Body of 'El Comandante' lies in state
Thousands flocked to the streets of Caracas to see the coffin of Chavez travel through the city to lie in state until Friday's funeral.
Hugo Chavez: A life in pictures
A look back at the life of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who has died at the age of 58 after a two-year battle with cancer.
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Jesse Jackson gives sermon at Hugo Chavez funeral
The Reverend Jesse Jackson has given a short sermon at the funeral of Hugo Chavez.
The US civil rights activist paid tribute to Chavez for raising the hopes of the poor and helping them to achieve their dreams.
He also expressed his hope that Venezuela and the US would heal their differences.
Among the guests listening intently to the sermon was the actor and director Sean Penn.
Iranian President kisses Hugo Chavez's coffin
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stopped twice to kiss the coffin of Venezuela's late leader Hugo Chavez during today's funeral.
Ahmadinejad is one of some 30 heads of state who are attending the funeral.
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World leaders and celebrities attending Chavez funeral
Among some 30 world leaders and other dignitaries attending Hugo Chavez's funeral are the following:
- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran
- President Raul Castro of Cuba
- President Evo Morales of Bolivia
- President Rafael Correa of Ecuador
- President Dilma Rousseff and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil
- Film actor and director Sean Penn
- President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus
- US civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson
About 50 countries have sent delegations, including the US and Canada.
Mourners keep queueing as Chavez's funeral proceeds
by Bill Neely - International Editor
Hugo Chavez's funeral got under way with a 30-gun salute and formal introductions of some 30 world leaders.
But still there are crowds of people queueing for their chance to see the leader's body in its open casket. Many are chanting "Chavez lives and so does the revolution!"
An estimated two million people have filed past the leader's open casket since yesterday.
Scenes are not as chaotic as yesterday when dozens were injured in the crush.
Chavez's home town pays tribute to its famous son
Portraits and flowers have been left in the centre of Sabaneta, Barinas State - Hugo Chavez's home town.
Crowds have gathered at the makeshift shrine to pay their respects, the president funeral will happen today after his death at 58 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Gallery: From prison to President - Hugo Chavez a life in pictures
Huge crowds gather in Caracas ahead of Hugo Chavez funeral
Huge crowds gathered again outside the Military Academy where the body of Hugo Chavez has lain in state since his death.
His funeral is due to start shortly.
Yesterday dozens were injured in the crush to view the president's body.
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Ahmadinejad praises 'dear friend' Hugo Chavez ahead of funeral
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Caracas for funeral of ally and 'close friend' President Hugo Chavez.
Speaking to reporters President Ahmadinejad said;
"He was a dear friend to all the countries of the world. To us, President's Chavez loss is very painful because we've lost a friend, a close friend and a revolutionary and just leader. To me, he had a big personality and a very close friend and brother. I feel like I lost myself."
"He was a great man with very big, humane dreams. I express my solidarity with the people of Venezuela, with all of the people of Latin America and with all the countries of the world. And we promise to realize and materialize his ideas which were so valuable.
"I am certain God will help us and the spirit of President Chavez will be watching us and will help us from the heavens."
Embalming of Chavez: The showman's final act
by Bill Neely - International EditorIt is astonishing that Hugo Chavez's cancer ridden corpse is two be embalmed and put on display in a military museum, the same museum where he was captured after leading a failed coup 20 years ago.
Embalming and displaying him, the showman's final act.
Meanwhile the veneration and deification of Chavez continues, with people queuing comparing him to Christ, his face on crucifix scenes.
The cult of Chavez was strong in his lifetime. It is about to get a much more powerful.
World leaders gather for funeral of Hugo Chavez
More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend the funeral today, but there will be no burial as he will be embalmed.
Read the full storyMore than 20 world leaders expected at Chavez funeral
by Bill Neely - International EditorVenezuelan authorities estimate that well over two million people have now paid their respects to their dead President Hugo Chavez.
More than 20 world leaders are expected to attend the funeral tomorrow, including Iran's Ahmadinejad and leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay.
There will be a funeral for Chavez, but he won't be buried. Authorities still can't decide where he will rest. But he will be embalmed, like Lenin.
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