The coffin of deceased Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez was brought out of a military hospital onto the streets of Caracas on Wednesday, where grieving multitudes gathered to honour him.

Family members of the flamboyant and outspoken leader including his daughter, Maria Gabriela Chavez and mother, Elena Frias de Chavez, were among those who emerged from the hospital where Chavez died on Tuesday.

Other family members and soldiers joined the procession as they led the coffin to a car which will take the deceased leader to a chapel where he will lie in state for three days.

Authorities have not yet said where Chavez will be buried after his state funeral on Friday.

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