Shakira and de la Rua 'waiting to wed'

Colombian pop beauty Shakira is waiting to marry her long-term lover Antonio de la Rua, according to her future father-in-law.

Former Argentine President Fernando de la Rua - who was deposed as leader of the South American nation in December 2001 - told Dominican newspaper Listin Diario that while the couple were deeply in love, they were in no rush to tie the knot.

He says: "They prefer to wait. Kids today would rather live as a couple, they don't believe that marriage is necessary to be happy.

"Shakira is a very good woman, she is very loving to her parents and with her in-laws as well."

Shakira and lawyer Antonio began dating in 1999.