Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Syria to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries.

Chavez, 52, will sign several energy agreements during the visit, a foreign ministry spokesman said today in a telephone interview. Chavez is visiting Syria on his way to Angola, the last scheduled stop on his current tour of Asia and Africa. The spokesman declined comment on how long Chavez would be in Syria.

``This is part of Chavez's strategy of reaching out to countries who have been isolated by U.S. foreign policy,'' said Patrick Esteruelas, an analyst with New York-based Eurasia Group. Chavez last month visited Iran and Belarus, countries whose human rights records have been faulted by the U.S.

Chavez's trip should also be seen as part of Venezuela's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations' Security Council, Esteruelas said. Chavez received support from China and Malaysia for the seat being vacated by Argentina. The U.S. is supporting Guatemala.

``We are two countries who are resisting imperialism,'' Chavez said upon arrival in Syria in remarks carried by the state television station.

State oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA will also likely sign a technical assistance agreement with Syria's state oil company, Esteruelas said.

``Chavez will, of course, criticize the U.S. and Israel during his visit,'' said Esteruelas. ``He is suddenly attracting support in the Arab world.''

Venezuela has repeatedly said it wants to diversify customers for its crude oil. The South American country now sends about 60 percent of its 2 million barrels in daily oil exports to the U.S. Relations between the two countries have worsened since Chavez took office in 1999.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter Wilson in Caracas at pewilson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 29, 2006 16:23 EDT