Venezuela urges UN to enforce ceasefire in Middle East
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday urged the United Nations to enforce the shaky ceasefire between Lebanon's Hezbollah group and Israel, after the world body condemned Israel's violation of the truce.

"Lebanon has been destroyed, now Israel has violated the truce," Chavez said. "I hope the UN is capable of making the North American empire (the United States) and Israel respect Lebanon."

Israeli commandos launched a raid on a Hezbollah stronghold near the Bodai village in eastern Lebanon early Saturday to prevent weapons from being transferred to Hezbollah from Iran and Syria, according to the Israeli army.

It was the first time that Israel launched a formal military strike since the UN-brokered cease-fire went into effect last Monday.

Chavez also called on countries to make donations to help Lebanon's reconstruction.

Venezuela, the world's fifth largest crude oil exporter, last month gave its humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, which included water and medicine, and sent 15 emergency relief officials.