Chavez criticises UN sanctions on Iran

VENEZUELA: President Hugo Chavez criticised international sanctions on Iran when he met President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran is seeking relief from the UN and other sanctions, including international embargoes on its oil sales.

Chavez said Iran faces “obstacles imposed by imperialism, blockades, threats, unilateral sanctions”.

The Venezuelan president has previously defended Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, saying he believes the Iranian government is simply pursuing peaceful energy uses.