Hugo Chavez: Gadhafi wants U.N. to visit Libya

Venezuela's president says embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was receptive to the idea of an international commission coming to the North African country when the two heads of state spoke this week.

"I consulted with him. I asked him if he was willing to accept a commission of countries," Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in remarks broadcast on state-run VTV Thursday night. "And he told me, 'Look, Chavez, not only of countries; I hope the whole United Nations come here to see the reality of what's happening before they start condemning the Libyan government or the Libyan people, before they start thinking as they are now, and preparing to invade Libya."

In a speech in Caracas Monday, Chavez proposed sending an international "goodwill commission" to mediate in Libya. He has not provided details about the makeup of the group, or said whether there are any plans for such a commission to travel to Libya.