World must respect Iran: Venezuela Prez

The world must respect Iran and the election "triumph" of its incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said.

"We call on the world to respect Iran because there are attempts to undermine the strength of the Iranian revolution," Chavez said in his weekly radio and television address on Sunday.

The comments ran contrary to European and US criticism of the Iranian government's violent crackdown on opposition protesters and media censorship of unrest sparked by perceived fraud in June 12 elections that gave Ahmadinejad a new mandate.

Iranian state media said at least 17 people were killed since post-election violence began more than a week ago.

"Ahmadinejad's triumph was a triumph all the way. They are trying to stain Ahmadinejad's triumph and through that weaken the government and the Islamic revolution. I know they will not succeed," Chavez said.

The firebrand leftist leader said he had called Ahmadinejad after the elections to express his solidarity.

The Venezuelan foreign ministry issued a statement blasting "the fierce and unfounded campaign from outside to discredit" the Iranian president.