The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has strongly condemned a rebel attack that killed several close allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Venezuela sent its condolences to the victims of Wednesday's bomb attack in Damascus that killed three members of Assad's inner circle and criticized rebels for attempting to "propagate terror and create an environment of uncertainty" in Syria.

Chavez has been one of Assad's most vocal supporters.

The Venezuelan leader has accused the U.S. government and its allies of provoking violence in Syria in an effort to topple its government.

Venezuela says the conflict in Syria should be resolved peacefully, without foreign intervention.