The exiled leader of Belarus' pro-democracy movement says that renewed protests and diplomatic pressure will lead to a peaceful political transition and new, free and fair elections.
Alexander Lukashenko declared a landslide victory in Aug. 9 polls widely seen as fraudulent. He was sworn in for a sixth term Wednesday in a secret ceremony in the capital, according to state media.
Protesters in Minsk took to the streets in large numbers Sunday for the fifth weekend in a row, demanding that authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko step down.
The Belarusian president appears to regain the upper hand after mass demonstrations against his reelection in a vote that's been criticized by the U.S. and the European Union.
The European Union says the Aug. 9 polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed an overwhelming victory were "neither free nor fair and do not meet international standards."
The government of President Alexander Lukashenko is coming under increasing pressure as demonstrations sparked by a disputed election show signs of expanding.
More than a week of protests across the country are aimed at getting President Alexander Lukashenko to step down after 26 years in power. Lukashenko has vowed never to quit.
Tens of thousands took to the streets to demand change on Sunday, as incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko defended election results that international observers have decried as illegitimate.
The country's scattered opposition is regaining its footing after President Alexander Lukashenko unleashed his security forces on protesters during four nights of unprecedented violence.
