Venezuela Nicolas Maduro sworn in as acting president

Venezuela's former vice-president Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in as acting president hours after the state funeral of Hugo Chavez.

The ceremony was led by National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello in the capital, Caracas.

Mr Chavez, who died on 5 March after a long battle with cancer, had named Mr Maduro as his chosen successor.

However, the main opposition coalition boycotted Mr Maduro's swearing-in, saying that it was unconstitutional.

It argues that - under the constitution - the speaker of the National Assembly should be the one to take over as acting president.

The opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, called the move fraudulent.

BBC NEWS