Venezuela foreign minister to meet Ban Ki-moon in Geneva

An anti-government protester holds a tear gas canister after it was thrown at protesters by the national guard during clashes at Altamira square in Caracas February 28, 2014. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela said on Saturday its foreign minister will meet United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva on Tuesday amid growing international calls for dialogue between political players to ease the OPEC nation's worst unrest in a decade.

At least 17 people have died in violence during a month of opposition protests. President Nicolas Maduro says his foes are trying to trigger a coup, while his opponents accuse troops and pro-government militants of attacking demonstrators.