Venezuelan parliament, the National Assembly, on Friday welcomed the election of Democrat candidate Barack Obama as the next U.S. president.

Venezuelan parliamentarians expressed belief that Obama's election will help enhance dialogue and understanding between the U.S and Venezuelan governments, a congress communique said.

The Assembly asked the next U.S. government to lift embargo against Cuba and withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. It also asked the Obama administration to shut down secret prisons in other countries, including the one in Guantanamo, Cuba.

The Assembly expressed willingness to establish constructive bilateral relations with the United States under Obama's administration.

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2008)