Ahmadinejad to Attend Chavez Funeral in Caracas Friday

President Ahmadinejad and his accompanying delegation will leave Tehran for Caracas on Thursday and the visit will last for two days.

Political figures and leaders from across the globe are expected to attend the late Venezuelan president's funeral procession in Caracas on Friday.

The Iranian government has declared Wednesday a day of national mourning on the occasion of the demise of the late Venezuelan President, the country also plans to hold a commemoration ceremony to honor Chavez.

President Chavez died in a hospital in the capital city of Caracas on Tuesday.

Earlier today, President Ahmadinejad in a message to Venezuelan officials extended his condolences to the country's people and government over the death of President Hugo Chavez, and said Chavez will be alive as long as justice, love and freedom continue to exist.

"As long as justice, love and freedom are alive, Hugo Chavez will be alive as well. As long as faith, purity and humanity are alive, he will be alive too. As long as nations are alive and strive for the materialization of independence, kindness and justice, he will be alive too," Ahmadinejad said in his message.

President Ahmadinejad in his message also condoled with Venezuelan Vice-President and Caretaker of the Government Nicolas Maduro on the sad occasion.

The Iranian president expressed sympathy with Maduro, and also condoled with the Venezuelan nation and government on Chavez's death.
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