Daughter accepts Nobel

VENEZUELAN opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her mother's behalf, hours after officials said Ms Machado would miss the ceremony.

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Ms Machado has been in hiding and has not been seen in public since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters at a protest in Caracas, Venezuela's capital.

Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the award ceremony that "Maria Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today - a journey in a situation of extreme danger".

"Although she will not be able to reach this ceremony and today's events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe, and that she will be with us here in Oslo," he said to applause.