New Chile President visits quake area

Promises quick reconstruction :

CHILE: New Chilean President Sebastian Pinera travelled on Thursday to the most affected areas by the earthquake and later by a tsunami that shuddered the Bio Bio region in the southern central area of the country on February 27.

Pinera, who was inaugurated amid a strong aftershock of 7.2 degrees on the Richter scale, confirmed his intensions of visiting the devastated city of Constitution after a planned lunch with the heads of State and government attending his inauguration ceremony.

"We have to prove our strength, without forgetting our dead and gone loved ones, stated the Chilean head of State, who promised to work for the reconstruction of his nation. Regarding the powerful aftershock that led to a tsunami alert and caused moments of panic in the inauguration ceremony, Pinera called residents of coastal areas to move to higher lands.

Chile's new president succeeds Michelle Bachelet, who is leaving the presidential chair with a historic popular support above 80 percent.

Valpara¡so, Friday (Prensa Latina)