Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has recognised the Socialist Party-dominated constituent assembly as the country's most powerful institution in his first appearance at the highly-criticised legislative body that was inaugurated six days ago.
"As head of state I subordinate myself to the powers of this constituent assembly," he said during his address.
"I come to recognise its plenipotentiary powers, sovereign, original and magnificent," he added.
The recent election of the 545-member assembly drew international condemnation for usurping the authority of Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress.
Critics have said the election cast aside any remaining checks on Mr Maduro's power.
Mr Maduro has said the assembly is Venezuela's only chance at securing peace and prosperity after four months of unrest and anti-government protests that have left more than 120 people dead.
In an address that repeatedly brought assembly members to their feet in applause, Mr Maduro called for a new governance framework for Venezuela, aimed at "perfecting the constitution of 1999."
"Madam president," he said to assembly chief and long-time Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodriguez, "I am entirely at your service."
In its first working session on 5 August, the assembly confirmed opposition fears that it would seek to strengthen Mr Maduro's grip on power by firing his main critic within the ruling socialist coalition, chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega. She has been ordered to stand trial.
Ms Ortega accused Mr Maduro of human rights abuses after his loyalist Supreme Court started nullifying laws passed by Congress earlier this year.
Now in hiding, moving from safe house to safe house, Ms Ortega said yesterday that she feared for her life.
