Chavez body laid to rest at Caracas military museumMarch 16, 2013 - 10:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The body of Hugo Chavez has been laid to rest at a military museum in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, BBC News reported. Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the hearse as it carried his coffin from the military academy where it laid in state for 10 days. Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died of cancer last week. His coffin was received by a military guard of honour. Religious and political ceremonies were held at the military museum, attended by Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro. It is not yet clear what will happen to Chavez's body in the longer term. Maduro asked the National Assembly to reform the constitution to allow Chavez's body to be buried in the National Pantheon, together with the most important leaders in Venezuela's history. Chavez, for his part, had said he wanted to be buried in his hometown in Barinas. After Friday, March 15 ceremonies, the country's Information Minister, Ernesto Villegas, said the government had dropped plans to embalm Chavez for permanent display. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans have visited the coffin of their former leader. Shortly after his death was announced on 5 March, the government declared seven days of mourning, which was later extended to 10 days. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |