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Venezuela protest leader Lopez hands himself in Venezuela opposition's Leopoldo Lopez hands himself in
(35 minutes later)
Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has handed himself over to the National Guard, witnesses say.Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has handed himself over to the National Guard, witnesses say.
It comes as pro- and anti-government protesters take part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas.It comes as pro- and anti-government protesters take part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas.
Mr Lopez, who is wanted on charges of inciting violence, had said he would lead the anti-government march before handing himself in to the authorities.Mr Lopez, who is wanted on charges of inciting violence, had said he would lead the anti-government march before handing himself in to the authorities.
Tensions have been running high in the deeply polarised country; at least three people have died in clashes.Tensions have been running high in the deeply polarised country; at least three people have died in clashes.
The three - two anti-government protesters and one government supporter - died of bullet wounds sustained during demonstrations last Wednesday.The three - two anti-government protesters and one government supporter - died of bullet wounds sustained during demonstrations last Wednesday.
Participants in a protest in the eastern city of Carupano said another student was killed when he was run over by a car during a march on Monday night.Participants in a protest in the eastern city of Carupano said another student was killed when he was run over by a car during a march on Monday night.
After a short speech to thousands of supporters, Mr Lopez handed himself over to what he called an unjust and corrupt justice. He denies the charges against him.After a short speech to thousands of supporters, Mr Lopez handed himself over to what he called an unjust and corrupt justice. He denies the charges against him.
"I present myself to an unjust judiciary. They want to jail Venezuelans who want peaceful, democratic change," Reuters quoted him as saying."I present myself to an unjust judiciary. They want to jail Venezuelans who want peaceful, democratic change," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Ahead of the rallies, Caracas Mayor Jorge Rodriguez warned that he had not authorised Tuesday's opposition march.Ahead of the rallies, Caracas Mayor Jorge Rodriguez warned that he had not authorised Tuesday's opposition march.
Police and members of the National Guard are out in force. Opposition activists have accused them of trying to prevent them from attending the anti-government rally.Police and members of the National Guard are out in force. Opposition activists have accused them of trying to prevent them from attending the anti-government rally.
The anti-government demonstration was called by Mr Lopez, leader of the opposition Popular Will party and former mayor of Chacao district in eastern Caracas.The anti-government demonstration was called by Mr Lopez, leader of the opposition Popular Will party and former mayor of Chacao district in eastern Caracas.
Conspiracy allegationsConspiracy allegations
Earlier, he urged his supporters to join the march but asked them to stop short of the Interior Ministry, which is located in a pro-government area of Caracas and where he was planning to hand in a petition.Earlier, he urged his supporters to join the march but asked them to stop short of the Interior Ministry, which is located in a pro-government area of Caracas and where he was planning to hand in a petition.
"I will walk alone. I won't put any Venezuelan lives at risk. Go Venezuela!" he wrote on Twitter."I will walk alone. I won't put any Venezuelan lives at risk. Go Venezuela!" he wrote on Twitter.
The BBC's Irene Caselli in Caracas says thousands of people - many wearing white and holding Venezuelan flags - are still gathered in the east of the city in support of Mr Lopez. The BBC's Irene Caselli in Caracas says thousands of people - many wearing white and holding Venezuelan flags - gathered in the east of the city in support of Mr Lopez.
Government supporters wearing red are holding a rival march and heading to the presidential palace for a meeting with President Maduro.Government supporters wearing red are holding a rival march and heading to the presidential palace for a meeting with President Maduro.
It appears Mr Lopez took the decision not to lead his supporters into the path of the pro-government protesters, our correspondent adds.It appears Mr Lopez took the decision not to lead his supporters into the path of the pro-government protesters, our correspondent adds.
In a video statement released on Sunday, Mr Lopez said he had not committed any crime and insisted allegations that he had incited violence were untrue.In a video statement released on Sunday, Mr Lopez said he had not committed any crime and insisted allegations that he had incited violence were untrue.
He also promised to hand himself in at the end of Tuesday's march. The US state department earlier denied claims that it was helping to organise the anti-government protests.
"If there is a decision to legally throw me in jail, I'll submit myself to this persecution," he said.
The US state department earlier denied that it was helping to organise the anti-government protests.
"The allegation that the United States is helping to organise protesters in Venezuela is baseless and false," spokeswoman Jan Psaki said."The allegation that the United States is helping to organise protesters in Venezuela is baseless and false," spokeswoman Jan Psaki said.
Her statement came a day after Venezuela announced it would expel three US diplomats for allegedly meeting students who had been leading marches.Her statement came a day after Venezuela announced it would expel three US diplomats for allegedly meeting students who had been leading marches.
The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.The main opposition grievances are high inflation, crime and the shortage of some staples.
The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen".The government has blamed the shortages on "saboteurs" and "profit-hungry corrupt businessmen".