Venezuela condoles with Iran for Soleimani killing

By Lokman Ilhan

BOGOTA (AA) - The Venezuelan government Saturday offered condolences to the "peoples of Iran and Iraq" for the death of a top Iranian general killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad.

The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the U.S. airstrike and said it fueled regional tension and did not comply with international laws.

It called for respect for international law and urged conflicting parties to contribute to maintaining peace in the Middle East.

- Killing of Soleimani

The U.S. confirmed Friday it carried out an airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, which also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, vice president of the Hashd al-Shaabi group, or Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

Iran's leadership vowed to revenge Soleimani's death, and President Hasan Rouhani said the general’s killing doubled the resolve of Iranians to stand up to U.S. advances and defend Islamic values.

Soleimani was the long-time commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, which was designated a terror group by the U.S. The group is estimated to have 20,000 members.

Shortly after reports of the airstrike, U.S. President Donald Trump posted the U.S. flag on Twitter without comment.

The Pentagon accused Soleimani of planning to carry out attacks on U.S. diplomats and service members in Iraq and the region, saying he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and coalition service members.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas