Iran Welcomes Chavez Victory Calling It "Establishing Of Democracy"

TEHRAN, Aug 17 (AFP) - Iran on Tuesday welcomed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez`s victory in a recall referendum, calling it "establishing of democracy," the state news agency IRNA reported.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the massive turnout of Venezuelans for the presidential referendum, since it was a big test for this country and the Latin America in establishing democracy and the government of the people," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in a press release carried by IRNA.
"The outcome of this referendum once again prooved the reality that people do not accept foreign powers interfering in their internal affairs."
More than 58 percent of Venezuelans voted Sunday for Chavez to remain in office in the referendum called by the opposition in a bid to oust him, according to official returns.
However, the United States, Iran`s arch foe, refused to endorse the result, calling for a probe into the opposition claims of fraud.
Both Iran and Venezuela are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and usually take similar policies in regards to the oil prices.
During his October 2001 visit to Tehran, Chavez vowed to work towards a "stabilisation of the oil market prices" following the September 11 anti-US attacks.