TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday that foreigners should respect the Venezuelan people’s votes in the presidential elections.

Venezuelan officials declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of Sunday’s presidential election.

Qassemi said, “Holding elections in spite of domestic pressure and foreign threats and sanctions is a great victory for democracy in Venezuela.”

He expressed hope that foreign sides would respect the Venezuelans’ votes and support political stability in the country.

NA/PA