Iranian president to visit Venezuela to boost bilateral ties

CARACAS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Sunday that his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would pay an official visit to the country before the end of 2009 to boost bilateral ties.

"I want him (Ahmadinejad) to accompany me to inaugurate some houses," Chavez told Iranian Ambassador to Venezuela, Ahmad Sobhani, during a TV-radio show. As part of the dwelling development program signed between the two countries, the first 240 homes were ready.

Ahmadinejad had planned to tour South America in May this year, but postponed his trip because of the presidential elections, which were held on June 12.

Chavez had visited Iran in September, during which the two governments signed over 200 cooperation agreements in the fields of health, oil, trade, housing, food and finance.