Lula may sue over boozing claims

By Steve Kingstone
BBC correspondent in Sao Paulo

Lula - here enjoying a glass of water - is angry about the claims

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is considering legal action against the New York Times newspaper for alleging he drinks too much.

The claim, published on Sunday, was described by a government spokesman as libellous and offensive.

The matter is being pursued by Brazil's ambassador to the United States.

The article, headlined "Brazilian leader's tippling becomes national concern", appeared next to a picture of the president at a beer festival.

In the piece, the New York Times' Brazil correspondent questioned whether the performance of President da Silva, widely known as Lula, was being affected by alcohol.

Over recent months, the government has run into a series of difficulties.

'Moderate social habits'

In a statement, the president's spokesman called the report groundless, libellous and an example of the worst kind of journalism.

Brazil's ambassador to the United States has been instructed to contact the paper's editor and legal action has not been ruled out.

In parliament, leading senators called the piece an insult to Brazil.

One said it was US foreign policy that was drunk.

As for presidential tippling, the official statement said Mr da Silva's social habits were moderate and no different from those of other Brazilians.