El Salvador on Tuesday granted asylum to former Venezuelan Rear Admiral Carlos Molina Tamayo, who took part in last month's coup attempt against President Hugo Chavez.

"Following consideration of a request for diplomatic asylum from Rear Admiral Carlos Molina Tamayo, the government of the Republic of El Salvador has decided to grant the petition," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement here.

Molina Tamayo has been holed up in the Caracas residence of Ana Leonor Palomo, El Salvador's charge d'affaires, since May 25, when he offered a petition for asylum.

The Foreign Ministry said

Salvador Ambassador Hugo Carrillo held two meetings with Molina Tamayo to determine his motives.

The Salvadoran government has also reviewed information presented by Venezuelan authorities about judicial proceedings opened against him and other members of the junta that briefly seized power in Caracas in mid-April, the ministry said.

The coup fizzled when key Venezuelan military units refused to support the rebellion against the populist Chavez.

El Salvador was the only country that publicly supported the interim government of Pedro Carmona, which ascended after Chavez's ouster.

Carmona has received asylum in neighbouring Colombia.