Chavez accuses US of trying to topple Syrian leader

Caracas: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is
accusing the US government and its allies of provoking
violence in Syria in an effort to topple its government.

Chavez says he spoke by phone yesterday with his ally
Syrian President Bashar Assad. He says Assad told him that
more than 2,000 Syrian soldiers have been killed along with a
larger number of civilians in what the Venezuelan leader calls
a "terrorist plan" to remove Assad from power.

Chavez also says Assad told him that the security
situation in Syria is improving and he hopes the situation
returns to normal soon.

PTI