Visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday that Venezuela would stand alongside Iran under any circumstances.

"Venezuela will stand alongside Iran at any time, under any circumstances," Chavez told reporters following a welcome ceremony hosted by his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"History has shown that as long as we stay united, we can remain resistant and defeat imperialism," he added.

The Venezuelan president arrived here Saturday afternoon for a two-day visit, heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation. It is his fifth visit to the Islamic republic during his presidency.

Expressing satisfaction with the economic cooperation between Venezuela and Iran, Chavez said he hoped big strides would be made in bilateral cooperation in petrolchemical and natural gas.

Ahmadinejad said Iran and Venezuela shared much in common in regional and international affairs, and hoped the two countries could make the best of their potentials.

After meeting with Ahmadinejad, the Venezuelan president also held talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During his stay in Iran, Chavez will also inaugurate the new Venezuelan embassy in Tehran and meet with Iran's business leaders.

Bilateral trade in 2005 reached 1 billion U.S. dollars.

Source: Xinhua