Chavez expects lively UN debate on Palestinians - eTaiwan News

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is backing the Palestinians' plan to ask the United Nations to recognize an independent Palestinian state.

Chavez says he expects lively debate on that issue as well as the conflict in Libya at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly.

The Venezuelan leader says "it's time for Palestine to be recognized as a state" and have a U.N. seat.

Chavez is undergoing cancer treatment, and he said Wednesday night that he will not be able to attend the General Assembly but will be "following the speeches closely."