Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday condemned Britain as a violator of international law and urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to return the Malvinas Islands to Argentina.

In a speech in the western province of Zulia, Chavez said Blair should refrain from sending threatening messages to Venezuela, and it was Britain that had violated international law.

Chavez was responding to Blair's remarks on Wednesday that Caracas should respect international law.

"Remember the Malvinas, how you stole them from the Argentines. Return them to Argentina, Mr. Blair," he said.

Chavez also noted that Britain had invaded Iraq, against the will of the United Nations, adding that Blair was an unconditional ally and subordinate of "the crazy guy", one of many titles Chavez used for U.S. President George W. Bush.

Speaking at the British parliament on Wednesday, Blair said that Venezuela should comply with international law if it wants to be respected internationally.

The disputed Malvinas Islands in the southern Atlantic near the Argentine coast, which are called the Falklands by Britons, were occupied by British forces in 1833.

Argentina fought a 74-day war with Britain in 1982 over the sovereignty of the archipelago, leaving 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers dead. Britain later regained the control of the islands.

Source: Xinhua