Iran and Venezuela have pledged to “stand together until the end in the face of US imperialism.”

The message comes as President Hugo Chavez welcomed a man he describes as his “brother,” President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Caracas. The Iranian leader is on the last leg of a tour of South American allies. The presidents took the opportunity to condemn Israel and the United States. Chavez said:” We know that the state of Israel is, a murderous arm of the Yankee empire.” Chavez, has publicly backed Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme and has supported the Iranian leader’s disputed re-election in June that sparked days of violent protests in the capital Tehran. The countries, both OPEC members, launched joint trade projects including a binational bank, housing programmes and bicycle, car and tractor manufacture. Critics of Chavez mocked the deals saying they were of no substance, not even for the production of bicycles.More about: Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuela

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