DAMASCUS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday rolled out red carpet for his visiting Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez at a hilltop presidential palace overlooking Damascus, the official SANA news agency reported.

    The two leaders reviewed the guards of honor in the People's Palace as national anthems of Venezuela and Syria were played and the artillery fired 30 rounds in honor of Chavez at an official reception ceremony.

    Assad and Chavez then held a plenary meeting with the participation of senior officials from both sides, according to the report.

    Earlier in the day, Chavez visited the Martyr Monument and laid a wreath of flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, en route to which Chavez was warmly greeted by a big mass of local people lining along the streets, SANA said.

    Both countries have been under pressure from the United States as Venezuela has witnessed tense relations with Washington since Chavez took office in 1999 and Syria been always accused by Washington of supporting terrorism.

    Upon arrival late Tuesday evening, Chavez hailed the fraternal ties between the two countries and their "same political vision" on world issues, particularly the "decisive and principled position against the imperialism and bids of hegemony coming from the American empire".

    "The imperialism will over and its end is a sure matter and they will not be capable of getting us," the harsh critic of the U.S. foreign and trade policies was quoted as saying by SANA.

    For his part, Assad said Chavez's visit would turn their visions into action, agreements and work mechanism and achieve a political coordination on the highest levels mainly regarding the south-south cooperation.

    Chavez arrived in Damascus late Tuesday evening on a three-day state visit to Syria.

    Several energy agreements are expected to be signed during Chavez's visit. Enditem

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (front, L) holds a welcoming ceremony for his visiting Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez(front, R) in Damascus, capital of Syria, Aug. 30, 2006. Chavez arrived in Damascus late Tuesday evening on a three-day state visit to Syria. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>