26 Sep 2009

The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez both will sign eight cooperation agreements, Venezuela's state media says.

The accords will be signed in Caracas, according to Venezuela's ABN news agency.

Venezuelan Ambassador to Tripoli Afif Tajeldine said five agreements have already been signed with Libya, Venezuela's top African ally, but he did not provide the figures or domain involved.

"Libya is the gateway to Africa for us because it is a country well-known for its socialist policies that plays an important and strategic role for us," he added.

Gaddafi was on Venezuela's scenic Isla Margarita, where a two-day summit began on Saturday, bringing together nine South American presidents and some 20 African leaders.

Chavez's other high-profile guests at the Caribbean resort destination included the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Joseph Kabila.

Gaddafi's trip to Venezuela is his first to Latin America since he came to power 40 years ago.

presstv