Chavez, Gaddafi meet in Libya to build power among global 'south'

Sat, 23 Oct 2010

Tripoli - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez continued his visit Saturday to Libya, preparing to receive an honorary degree from Tripoli's Academy of Higher Education.

Chavez met with Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi late on Friday to discuss "integration between the African and Latin American states and promoting the South-South front," according to Libya's state-run news agency JANA.

Libya is the latest stop on a busy international tour for the Venezuelan leader involving seven countries in 10 days. Previously he had visited Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Syria and the tour will wind up with stops in Algeria and European Union member Portugal.

"We are in a position to vanquish Western imperialism and create a more balanced world," he asserted in Damascus, just before arriving in Libya.

Chavez' meeting with Gaddafi falls in line with his regional tour of cozying up to states that are not on the best of terms with the United States, which Chavez has labeled an "imperialist nation" on several occasions.

He discussed with Gaddafi preparations for the third Africa-South America Summit to be held in Libya next year, according to JANA, which was held last year in Venezuela.

In September 2009, Chavez was the guest of honor at a Libyan military parade celebrating 40 years of Gaddafi in power. Six months beforehand, a football stadium in Libya was named after the Venezuelan president.

The two leaders, both known for controversial statements and tense relations with the United States, have been strengthening ties between their countries for several years.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/350063,build-power-global-south.html.