While visiting the Iranian capital of Tehran, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has voiced support for his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying that Iran "will not back down" in its quest for peaceful nuclear energy. President Chavez was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Mr Ahmadinejad following his recent re-election.

The Venezuelan president arrived in Iran following visits to Algeria, Libya and Syria. He will later travel to Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan and Spain.