Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday expressed a deep sympathy to the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela over the death of President Hugo Chavez.

"I am extremely saddened to learn that His Excellency Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, passed away on March 5," Hun Sen said in a condolence letter to President Interim of Venezuela on Thursday.

"Hugo Chavez will always be remembered as a leader who devoted his life for the well-being and progress of his people," he said.

"On this very sad moment, on behalf of Cambodian government and people of Cambodia, I would like to convey to Your Excellency and through you to the bereaved family and people of Venezuela my deepest heartfelt condolences for this loss of a great leader and hero of the Venezuelan people," the premier said.

Hugo Chavez died of cancers at the age of 58. Endi