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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's vice president says that President Hugo Chavez could be sworn in by the Supreme Court later on if he's not able to take the oath of office next week before lawmakers.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro made the comment in a televised interview on Friday night. He dismissed the argument by some opposition leaders that new elections must be called if Chavez doesn't take office as scheduled on Thursday.

Maduro says Chavez, as a re-elected president, remains in office beyond the swearing-in date stipulated in the constitution, and could be sworn in if necessary before the Supreme Court at a date to be determined.

The vice president held up a small copy of the constitution and read aloud passages relating to such procedures.