World Affairs
The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez will not recognize Libyan rebels and will maintain his support to the Tripoli government of leader Muammar Gaddafi, said Reinaldo Bolívar, the Venezuelan Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa.

"Venezuela will not recognize the people in Benghazi. We recognize the legitimate government of Libya and if (Libyan) people decide to establish another legitimate government, it will be recognized in the context of the international law," Bolívar said in an interview published by the Venezuelan pro-government newspaper Correo del Orinoco, Efe quoted.

"There were no problems until a coalition of US and European countries began the shelling," the Venezuelan Vice-Minister said.

He reiterated that the Foreign Ministry advocated a diplomatic solution to the Libyan crisis.