Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been welcomed in Caracas by his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez. It is Mr Ahmadinejad’s fourth official visit to Venezuela.

Ties between the two countries have become increasingly close in recent years. Mr Chávez described Mr Ahmadinejad as an ‘anti-imperialist gladiator’ and the two leaders called each other ‘brother’.

The Venezuelan president took Mr Ahmadinejad’s visit as an opportunity to make a fierce attack on Israel. He described the country as “a murderous arm of the Yankee empire”. His remarks came in response to Israeli President Shimon Peres’ recent prediction that both Mr Ahmadinejad’s and Mr Chávez’ governments would soon fall, because the Iranian and Venezuelan people had had enough of them.

Venezuela is the final stop on Mr Ahmadinejad’s tour of Latin America. He previously visited Brazil and Bolivia. In both countries he received support from the government for Iran’s efforts to set up a nuclear power programme.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chávez - ANP