Venezuela government approves changes to allow Chavez to run again

Venezuelan lawmakers voted to amend the country's constitution on Friday, a move that would give President Hugo Chavez more powers, including the ability to run for re-election indefinitely.

All but seven of the 167 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of the 69 amendments.

The changes, which must be approved by voters in a Dec. 2 referendum, would also allow the government to expropriate private property, take control of the Central Bank and create new types of property managed by cooperatives.

The changes would also extend presidential terms from six to seven years and allow Chavez to run again in 2012.

The proposed changes have sparked protests throughout the country by those who believe they would violate civil liberties. On Thursday, thousands took to the streets, only tobe dispersed by soldiers usingtear gas, plastic bullets and water cannons.

But Chavez, a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, denies the reforms threaten civil liberties.

He and his supporters say the changes will help move the country toward socialism, while giving neighborhood-based assemblies more decision-making power in using government funds for local projects like paving streets and building public housing.