Ria Novosti cited Mr Americo Diaz Nunez Venezuelan ambassador to the ex-Soviet republic as saying that Belarus will be able to extract natural gas at gas fields in Venezuela.

Mr Americo Diaz Nunez said "Belarus will be able to extract gas as soon as it starts the development of deposits."

The diplomat explained that under a project of Belarus participation in the extraction of Venezuelan gas, Belarus would gain access to particular gas fields for development.

Belarus which has no hydrocarbon resources of its own heavily depends on energy supplies from Russia and is seeking to diversify energy imports.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)