Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived here early Friday to attend the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Chavez is still alive. Chavez never dies, his soul and spirit will remain in the hearts of all the fighters," the Iranian leader said after getting off the plane.

The Iranian government declared a day of mourning Wednesday following Chavez's death, local media reported.

Calling each other allies against "U.S. imperialism," Iran and Venezuela have strengthened ties substantially since Ahmadinejad came to office in 2005.

A total of 33 heads of state and 55 high-level international delegations from 54 countries and regions will attend Chavez's funeral, scheduled for Friday at Caracas's Military Academy. Endi