Maduro to be sworn in as Venezuela's acting president

CARACAS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro will be sworn in Friday as the country's acting president, the speaker of the country's National Assembly said Thursday.

Diosdado Cabello announced on a state-run television channel that Maduro will perform presidential duties and call for elections within 30 days in compliance with the constitution.

He added that the decision was made based on the order of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who passed away on Tuesday of cancer.

"We have a great desire to meet the commander's instructions," Cabello said.

The swearing ceremony will be held Friday at 7:00 p.m. (2330 GMT) in the Hall of Honor of the Military Academy, a few meters away from the remains of Chavez.

According to Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution, if the president is absent during the first four years of the constitutional term, there will be a new and direct general election within 30 days.