Iranian president visits Venezuela

CARACAS - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday in Venezuela, kicking off a four-country Latin American tour to seek support as tougher Western sanctions threaten its oil exports and economy.

The Venezuelan government said President Hugo Chavez and Ahmadinejad will discuss housing, agriculture, food production, industry, oil production and mining during the visit.

Chavez announced Saturday that he would review with his Iranian counterpart the bilateral cooperation as well as global issues.

Iran and Venezuela have more than 200 joint accords. In their meeting in October 2010 in the Iranian capital Tehran, the two presidents signed 11 agreements, most of which were in the energy sector.

Iran and Venezuela have become political and economic allies in recent years, with close cooperation in sectors such as energy, agriculture, housing and infrastructure construction.

Ahmadinejad will also visit Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves as he walks next to Venezuela's Vice-President Elias Jaua (R) at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas January 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]