Venezuela aid on way to Gaza

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-13-2009 09:41

A plane carrying humanitarian aid headed ultimately for Gaza left Venezuela for Egypt on Sunday.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on his weekly broadcast show that offering aid is the least his country can do.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister is urging the UN to force Israel into a ceasefire and to withdraw its troops  immediately.(CCTV.com)

The plane is carrying 12-and-a-half metric tons of medicine which Egypt will transport to residents in Gaza.

Chavez has strongly condemned the Israeli offensive, expelling Israel's ambassador to Venezuela last week in protest at Israeli air and ground strikes.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Foreign Minister is urging the UN to force Israel into a ceasefire and to withdraw its troops immediately.

He also called for a "comprehensive agreement that gives back to the Palestinian people their right to land and the construction of an independent and sovereign state".