World's poorest president to sell his Volkswagen beetle for $1m

Uruguay's president has revealed he was offered a million dollars for his blue 1987 Volkswagen Beetle.Once dubbed "the world's poorest president", the former guerrilla says any money he gets will go towards housing for the homeless.

The car has become a symbol of Jose Mujica's austere lifestyle.

Mr Mujica, the man once nicknamed "the poorest president in the world", told a local publication that an Arab sheik had offered to pay $1m (£631,000) for the humble car.

The offer followed the Mexican ambassador to Uruguay's suggestion that Mr Mujica auction the Beetle in Mexico, predicting he could get 10 four-wheel-drive trucks for it.

Mr Mujica, who famously owns a three-legged dog, Manuela, said any money he received for the car would be donated to a programme he supports providing housing for the homeless.