Paraguay's Lugo admits love child

ASUNCION, Paraguay, April 13 (UPI) -- Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo, a former Catholic bishop, reversed his previous denials and admitted Monday he is the father of a 2-year-old child.

"I assume all responsibilities having to do with the fact that I had a relationship with (the mother of the child), and I recognize paternity," The Times Online quoted Lugo as saying during a televised speech.

Up to that point, the 57-year-old leader had denied 26-year-old Viviana Rosalith's claim that he was the father of her child. Her lawyers had filed a paternity suit against Lugo last week, The Times said.

Lugo was elected president last April, ending the South American nation's six decades of one-party rule. Before that he was a bishop for 10 years.

Rosalith contended in her lawsuit that she met Lugo while he was a bishop in San Pedro and staying at her godmother's house.