"The refineries of Belarus will not lack petrol for the next 200 years," Chavez said, adding that he was "aware of the needs" of the former Soviet republic, the Belarussian presidency said.

"We are comrades, together we are building a multi-polar world, which constitutes an alternative to imperialism," said Chavez in a reference to the US, a regular target of his rhetoric.

Lukashenko praised the good relationship between the two countries during the meeting, which lasted three and a half hours. "We will do so much for Venezuela that you will never regret having relations with us," Lukashenko said.

The two countries signed an agreement for Belarus to buy 30 million tonnes of petrol from over three years starting in 2011.

Chavez and Lukashenko had agreed a deal in March for the supply of 80,000 barrels of oil per day, as part of a push by Belarus to solidify industrial and commercial cooperation with Venezuela.

AFP