MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Israeli ambassador returning to Venezuela

Israeli Ambassador to Venezuela Shlomo Cohen, who had been recalled for consultations last month, is returning Thursday to Caracas, revealed an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman.

The ambassador was recalled for "temporary consultations" after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's administration ordered back to Caracas of its Chargé d'affaires in Tel Aviv, Hector Quintero, last August 3.

Chavez harshly criticized Israel's actions in civilian areas during the war with the Hezbollah militia group in Lebanon and its actions in the Palestinian territories.

The Lebanese conflict ended August 14 with the implementation of a cease-fire hammered out at the United Nations which includes the display in Southern Lebanon of an international military force.

It is not yet clear whether the return of Ambassador Cohen to Caracas will be followed by that of the Venezuelan charge d'affaires to Tel Aviv.