Hello and welcome to the program you're tuned to news hour on the BBC World Service

we're coming to you live from London my name's Paul Henley First today the leader of Venezuela's political

opposition arrived in Spain tonight having been offered asylum by Madrid.

Edmondo Gonzalez had been in hiding in his home country, ignoring various summons to appear before prosecutors,

arguing that turning up would have cost him his freedom.

Back in Venezuela, the Attorney General Tarek William Saab confirmed Mr. Gonzalez exit

from the country had been allowed after careful negotiation. The governments of Spain and Venezuela

of Spain and Venezuela agreed to grant a safe conduct to the citizen Edmondo Gonzalez

so that he could leave his national territory and benefit from the asylum granted by Spain.

Consequently, the Attorney General's office expresses its absolute respect for the decisions of the Venezuelan government.

The Spanish Foreign Minister,

The Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Al-Bares

demanded a political solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

And of course the fact that a political leader has to request asylum is certainly bad news. What Spain wants and we have

said it on many occasions and very clearly since July the 29th is that the

results of the polls be respected and that of course the freedom of demonstration the freedom of demonstration, the freedom of expression and the political

rights of all Venezuelans should be respected.

What I would like is that Edmondo Gonzalez would never have had to ask for the protection of the Spanish embassy.

Spain will not turn its back on him and the government of Spain will not turn its back on

any Venezuelan.

We are going to stand by the Venezuelan people and

democracy in Venezuela.

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