Russian Ambassador to UN says Chavez was great politician

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, has said Hugo Chavez was a great politician, and referred to his death as a tragedy.

According to the diplomat, Chavez made an important contribution to cementing relations between Caracas and Moscow, so Russians mourn for his death.

Chavez died late on Tuesday night (Moscow time), he was 58. He had fought his cancerous disease for almost two years. Shortly before his death, he returned to Caracas from Havana, where he was undergoing treatment following his fourth cancerous surgery.

The funeral is due to be held on Friday.