Chavez kicks off six-country tour

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez kicked off a six-country tour Thursday to boost international cooperation and sell his views on a multipolar world.

Chavez will participate in the 14th Iberian-American Summit in Costa Rica, and then visit Costa Rica, Spain, Libya, Iran, Qatar and Russia.

Venezuelan Communication and Information Minister Andres Izarrasaid Thursday afternoon that Chavez's visit is designed to advocate a multipolar world and oppose hegemonism.

The minister added that Chavez will meet with the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia during the Iberian-American Summit in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica.

In Libya, the Venezuelan leader will accept the award "Muahmar Khadaffi to Human Rights" unanimously granted by a panel who considered him as "the poet and soldier of a world full of inequality," said Izarra.

Then, Chavez will visit Iran to negotiate trade agreements regarding agricultural machinery and to sign a communication agreement on the purchase of a television transmitter.

In Qatar, Chavez will assess the possibility of gas projects orreceive assistance in this area. He then will go to Russia to discuss the purchase of Russian helicopters before returning to his country early in December.

Source: Xinhua