Chavez ally re-elected Assembly head

Diosdado Cabello's been re-elected as leader of Venezuela's National Assembly.

That makes him the man most likely to step in as caretaker president if Hugo Chavez doesn't recover from his cancer surgery.

Cabellos is a staunch Chavez ally.

SOUNDBITE: DIOSDADO CABELLO, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, SAYING (Spanish):

"With the support of the people and the saints, and our prayers, commandante Hugo Chavez will be with us and this will be the truth that we will convey."

If Chavez had to step down, or died, Cabello would take over the running of the country.

A new election would be organised within 30 days.

Chavez's heir apparent Nicolas Maduro would be the candidate for the ruling Socialist Party.