Chavez derides Obama's Nobel accolade

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said US President Barack Obama does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr Chavez claimed Mr Obama did not make any notable accomplishments to merit winning the prize, saying that rather than promote peace the US president is continuing the "warlike" policies of his predecessor George Bush.

Mr Chavez and Mr Obama had a warm first encounter at a summit in April, but the Venezuelan leader has become increasingly critical of Mr Obama in recent months.

In a newspaper column, Mr Chavez said the Norwegian Nobel Committee “forgot about his determination to continue battles in Iraq and Afghanistan”.

Mr Chavez also criticised Mr Obama for pursuing an agreement that would allow the US military to increase its presence at Colombian bases.