Tehran, April 2, IRNA - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad officially welcomed visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the Presidential office Thursday morning.

Chavez, heading a high-ranking political delegation, arrived in Tehran late Wednesday and was welcomed by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport.

The two countries' national anthems were played during the official welcoming ceremony and then the presidents of Iran and Venezuela reviewed the guard of honor.

During his four-day stay in Iran, the Venezuelan president is to meet and confer with senior officials of Iran, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili.

Chavez is also to inaugurate the Irano-Venezuala joint bank.

After visiting Iran, Chavez will go to Tokyo, Japan.

... Payvand News - 04/02/09 ... --