EU voices concern over polarisation of society in Venezuela

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Wednesday expressed her regret over the loss of life in recent clashes between protestors and police in Venezuela and called upon all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue and reject violence. "I commend the high participation and the orderly and calm conduct of the election, but I am concerned by the growing polarisation of Venezuelan society," she said in a statement. Ashton said she has taken take note of the statements by representatives of both government and opposition on the need for an audit of the vote as well as the subsequent announcement by the National Electoral Commission of Nicolas Maduro's election. "It is important that the outcome of the vote can be accepted by all and that appeals are duly considered by the competent Venezuelan authorities," she added. Venezuela's opposition leader Henrique Capriles has rejected the election results in which Maduro was declared the winner with a slim majority. Seven people were reported killed in the clashes on Monday in several cities in Venezuela.