Ahmadinejad hails Chavez vote victory in Venezuela

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday extended congratulations to his "dear brother" Hugo Chavez on winning re-election as Venezuela's president, the ISNA news agency reported. "I wholeheartedly congratulate you and the great nation of Venezuela on holding a passionate election and your renewed election as president," Ahmadinejad told Chavez in a message published by the news agency. Iran was ready to "increasingly develop cooperation" with Venezuela and bolster their "joint regional and international goals," the message said. "This victory is another approval stamp on your leadership in the path of justice-seeking, and Venezuela's development and progress," Ahmadinejad said. Iran's president, who will step down next year after serving the maximum two terms permitted under his country's constitution, has long been an ally to Chavez. The two leaders share a fierce antagonism towards the U.S. government, which they frequently accuse of mounting plots to topple them. They also have socialist policies that are funded by their respective countries' oil wealth. Chavez has visited Tehran 13 times since taking power in 1999. Ahmadinejad has visited Venezuela at least six times. y