US requests Security Council meeting on Venezuela

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Thursday called on the UN Security Council to hold an open meeting to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, after mass demonstrations and opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president.

The U.S. mission to the UN said on Twitter it has "officially requested an open meeting of the UN Security Council for Saturday." The meeting was requested for 9 a.m. (1300GMT).

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres earlier Thursday expressed concern for what transpired in the country.

"The Secretary-General is concerned over reports of casualties in the context of demonstrations and unrest in Venezuela and calls for a transparent and independent investigation of these incidents," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said in a statement.