Venezuela refuses to recognize Libya rebels

President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela continues to support embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Chavez says Venezuela would refuse to recognize a rebel-led interim government in Libya.

President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela continues to support embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Chavez says Venezuela would refuse to recognize a rebel-led interim government in Libya.

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The Venezuelan leader has been a staunch defender of Gaddafi and repeatedly condemns NATO's role in Libya. He calls the country's rebels a "group of terrorists."

Chavez spoke on Tuesday as Libyan rebels blasted through the green gates of Gaddafi's compound in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, marking the effective collapse of Gaddafi's 42-year-old regime.

Chavez did not say whether he had been in contact with Gaddafi in recent days.