Syrian president meets with Chavez in Caracas
AFP
CARACAS- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived Friday in Caracas to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, on his first visit to Latin America aimed at reinforcing economic ties with the region.
Accompanied by his wife, Asma, the Syrian leader was met at the airport by Vice President Elias Jaua, as Chavez was away for a regional summit in Ecuador.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Both leaders are expected to sign a series of agreements, including the joint construction of a refinery in Syria with a 140,000 barrels per day capacity.
Chavez and Assad last met in Damascus in September 2009.
Assad's tour of Latin America, after Venezuela, will take him to Brazil and Argentina. All three countries are home to large communities of Syrian emigres.
The Syrian president will also visit Cuba to strengthen traditionally close ties, Syria's official SANA news agency said Friday as Assad was leaving Damascus.
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