Key step to Chavez term law vote

Mr Chavez has tried before to remove the limits on presidential terms

Venezuela's national assembly has approved a constitutional amendment to remove presidential term limits.

The amendment, which applies to all elected officials, must be approved by a referendum within 30 days, a vote correspondents say is set to be close.

President Hugo Chavez urged a change in the law in his annual address on Tuesday.

He said it would be dangerous to remove a captain from his ship halfway through the voyage.

The measure is Mr Chavez's second attempt at seeking unlimited re-election. A similar referendum was defeated in late 2007.

The constitutional amendment will now be presented to the national election board, which will convene the referendum, thought likely to be in mid-February.