Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Damascus Tuesday night for a three-day state visit here, the official SANA news agency reported.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad welcomed Chavez, who came one day earlier than a previously announced schedule by SANA, at the Damascus International Airport.

Chavez, a harsh critic of U.S. foreign and trade policies, said last week that his visit to Syria was aimed at bolstering ties between the two counties.

"A few weeks before the Middle East crisis we were sorting out dates to go. It has been our plan to visit Syria for the last few months," Chavez was quoted as saying in comments broadcast on his state television.

Venezuela's ambassador to Syria Dia Nader al-Eindari said her President's trip reiterates "Venezuela's standing by Syria and her principled and just causes", according to SANA.

"The two sides are coordinating their stances and diplomatic positions in all international forums, and the most significant factor joining them is their aspiration to build a multipolar world," al-Eindari was quoted as saying.

Describing the two countries under similar pressures from the U. S., SANA attached importance of Chavez's visit here as the two peoples stand "in one ditch against the U.S. hegemony and control".

Syria, still under the U.S. unilateral economic sanctions since May 2004, has always been accused by the U.S. of sponsoring terrorism.

Source: Xinhua