Venezuela has no interest maintaining ties with Israel: president

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday during a televised evening speech that he had no interest in maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel.

"The most likely next step will be for us to break diplomatic relations" with Israel, Chavez said.

He said it was "the surest thing" that Venezuela was severing relations with Israel following two days of diplomatic tit-for-tat embassy withdrawals.

Chavez said last week he had ordered the withdrawal of Venezuela's ambassador in Israel. Israel withdrew its ambassador in Caracas in response.

Chavez's remarks came in response to Israel's military operations in south Lebanon.

Violence between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas erupted on July 12 when Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others during cross-border attacks. The fighting has left over 1,000 Lebanese and 100 Israelis dead.

Chavez has openly blasted the Israeli incursions into Gaza and Lebanon, and blamed the conflict on an "Israeli elite" and U.S. influence in the region.

Source: Xinhua