Hugo Chavez wants Ecuador back in the Opec fold

Mr Chavez called for Ecuador, which has large crude oil reserves, to return to the group after 14 years of absence.

He also asked for Bolivia, which has brought its gas industry under state control, to be considered.

Opec is due to vote on Thursday whether to change oil production levels, but is expected to brush off Mr Chavez's plan to lower them.

Uncertainty over US sanctions against Iran, the war in Iraq and continued disruptions to supplies from Nigeria are keeping oil prices high, with crude futures closing at $71.40 a barrel on Wednesday.

Ahead of the vote on production, Opec members said that while geo-political issues were the prime reason behind higher energy costs, it did not wish to worsen the situation by cutting output.

But oil ministers from countries including Iran and Qatar said the move could not be ruled out later in the year.

Expansion

Ecuador said it had been invited by several Arab nations to join Opec.

Mr Chavez welcomed the news and told members that Bolivia also "deserves all our support".

"I hope Ecuador returns to Opec. I hope Bolivia comes to Opec," he said.

Last month the US said it was cancelling free-trade negotiations with Ecuador, after the South American country seized the assets of a US oil company.

This followed Bolivia's announcement at the beginning of May that it was taking state control of the gas industry.