New president elected in Surinam

The former president of the South American republic of Surinam, Ronald Venetiaan, has been re-elected, in a vote by members of the National Assembly.

Correspondents say the selection of Mr Venetiaan was all but certain as his coalition obtained most votes in elections last May.

He served as president from 1991 until 1996.

Voting was brought forward by a year following widespread protests against the former government's handling of the economy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service