The Vatican urged Venezuela on Friday not to go ahead with installing a powerful new assembly sought by President Nicolas Maduro but violently challenged by his opponents.

It called on "all political actors, and in particular the government", to "prevent or suspend ongoing initiatives such as the new Constituent Assembly which, instead of fostering reconciliation and peace, foment a climate of tension".

"The Holy See appeals firmly to all of society to avoid all forms of violence and invites, in particular, the security forces to refrain from excessive and disproportionate use of force," it said in a statement.

source: AFP