Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez gestures before delivering a speech to supporters Sunday, Feb. 27. / AP/Fernando Llano

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s government, which has forged close ties to Moammar Gadhafi, called Sunday for dialogue between allies and adversaries of the Libyan leader amid a deadly crackdown on protesters. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro also said Venezuela would oppose any decision by the U.N Security Council opening the way for a military intervention in Libya — which leading-decision makers in the United Nations have so far ruled out.