Venezuela and the United States have reached a temporary agreement that will avoid a proposed ban on flights by most U.S. airlines to Venezuela, U.S. ambassador to Venezuela said Thursday.

Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to have the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) work with Venezuelan officials to improve safety standards in the South American country, U.S. ambassador William Brownfield told the local Globovision television channel.

"I think our two governments have resolved, at least for the moment, the civil aviation problem," said Brownfield, noting that the FAA is sending its technical team to Venezuela.

The team will work in Venezuela until they resolve the aviation problem or at least reach an agreement with Venezuela's National Civil Aviation Institute, said Brownfield.

Meanwhile, Caracas has decided to suspend the proposed airline bans that were expected to go into effect after March 30, he added.

Venezuela announced earlier that it would prohibit flights by Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines and restrict flights by American Airlines starting next week.

The measure was taken in response to the FAA's restriction on commercial jets registered in Venezuela 10 years ago due to safety violation, Venezuelan officials said.

Source: Xinhua