Brazil's Lula starts 2nd term as president
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva started his second term Monday amid presidential ceremonies held in the federal capital of Brasilia.

In spite of constant rain, the whole schedule was kept. President Lula and his wife Marisa Leticia joined the presidential motorcade that left the Cathedral of Brasilia at 3:55 p.m. (0655 GMT).

Riding in Rolls Royce convertible towards Congress, the couple waved at a crowd of some 10,000 people. About 300 coaches brought citizens from at least five different Brazilian states to the event.

At the Congress, Lula and re-elected Vice President Jose Alencar, also accompanied by his wife Mariza Gomes, made their speeches stating commitment to Federal Constitution. Leaders of the Federal Senate and the House of Representatives declared Lula and Alencar president and vice president.

Lula, of the Workers' Party, was re-elected on Oct. 29 with over 60.8 percent of the valid votes, against 39.2 percent for his opponent former Sao Paulo state's Governor Geraldo Alckmin, of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party.

For his second term, Lula said he didn't plan to make any changes in the ministries, as it usually happens when a president takes office. Lula also intended to go on a 10-day vacation in January, during which Alencar would take care of presidential affairs.