CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced the latest attack against his country's embassy in Libya Wednesday,condemning the "regrettable" incident.

The attack occurred when opposition groups launched an assault on the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

Chavez urged the aggressors to obey international law and demanded respect for his country's ambassador and embassy staff in Libya.

The Venezuelan government has been critical of NATO's military intervention, using harsh rhetoric at times.

Chavez said Venezuela only recognizes Gadhafi's administration as the legitimate government of the North African country.

"The drama of Libya does not end with the fall of Gadhafi's government. They (NATO forces) have destroyed a country, and since the first day we have the moral duty to denounce the intervention, " Chavez said.

He said that those countries which have destroyed Libya are after its rich oil reserves.

Libyan rebel forces are currently moving toward Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, where they believe Gadhafi is hiding.