Venezuela won't recognize new government in Libya

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela continues to support embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Chavez says Venezuela would refuse to recognize a rebel-led interim government in Libya.

The Venezuelan leader has been a staunch defender of Gadhafi and repeatedly condemns NATO's role in Libya. He calls the country's rebels a "group of terrorists."

Chavez spoke on Tuesday as Libyan rebels blasted through the green gates of Gadhafi's compound in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, marking the effective collapse of Gadhafi's 42-year-old regime.

Chavez did not say whether he had been in contact with Gadhafi in recent days.