"When you consider that these so-called civilized countries are trying to solve problems by dropping bombs, it makes me proud to be South American," the Argentine leader told reporters during a visit by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"In economic terms, we've been labelled underdeveloped, second-tier countries," she said.

"But those of us from so-called uncivilized countries have succeeded to resolve our conflicts in a civilized way, through international law." Chavez, despite having threatened military action against neighbours with whom he has differed over the years, also praised South America as "a region where peace reigns."

"We don't want any more wars here, no more bombs," the fiery Venezuelan president said, in an uncharacteristically tempered public pronouncement. A coalition of countries led by the United States, France and the United Kingdom have been strafing Libya for the past week and a half, as part of a UN-backed operation meant to stop President Moamer Qadhafi's crackdown on insurgents struggling to oust him.