Anti-govt march in Belarus demands change of president

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters gared Belarus capital Minsk on Sunday as part of a nationwide "march for freedom."

y were contesting results of presidential elections last week that handed a sixth term to authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko.

Participants waved historic white-red-white Belarusian flags used by opposition, and many were dressed in those colours.

"You can look and see how many people are here and understand that president didn't get 80% of vote," said Dmitry Gordyuk, a supporter of opposition leer Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya.

Similar marches were reported in or large cities across Belarus.

Anti-government leers asked protesters to keep event peaceful and igre possible provocations.

Elsewhere in Minsk, a large crowd of pro-government supporters turned out for a rally held by Lukashenko.