The president-elect of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has appointed one of the country's best-known television personalities, Jose Vicente Rangel, as his foreign minister.

A former presidential candidate himself, Mr Rangel now hosts a popular TV show which is often critical of the government.

He's the second journalist to join Mr Chavez's administration.

In one of his final addresses to the nation, the outgoing president, Rafael Caldera, has acknowledged the economic difficulties of the last five years, but said he was leaving office hopeful because Venezuela was now a stable country.