Chavez's swearing-in most likely to be postponed (2)

Maduro said Friday that Chavez, as a reelected president, remains in office beyond the inauguration date stipulated in the Constitution, and could be sworn in if necessary before the Supreme Court at a date to be determined.

"The formality of his swearing-in can be resolved before the Supreme Court of Justice, at the time (the court) deems in coordination with the head of state, Commander Hugo Chavez," Maduro said.

National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello also said last month that the Constitution says if a president is unable to be sworn in by the legislature, he may be sworn in by Supreme Court justices. Some legal experts have also noted that the sentence mentioning the court does not mention a date.

Chavez has undergone four cancer-related surgeries since June 2011 for an undisclosed type of pelvic cancer. He also has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Two months after he was reelected to another six-year term in October last year, the recurrence of the cancer forced him to undergo a fourth surgery in Cuba. Before his departure for the operation, Chavez said if his illness prevented him from remaining as president, Maduro should be candidate of the ruling United Socialist party of Venezuela in a new election.

Venezuela's National Assembly will convene on Saturday and is expected to shed light on what steps may be taken if Chavez is too sick to be sworn in.

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