Belarus: Protesters keep up push for president's resignation

Several hundred women marched across capital of Belarus in heavy rain Saturday to demand resignation of country's authoritarian president, continuing more than 2 1/2 months of protests against his challenged reelection to a sixth term.

demonstrations were triggered by official results giving President Alexander Lukashenko 80% of vote in an Aug. 9 election that opposition insists was rigged. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, has accused United States and its allies of fomenting unrest in ex-Soviet country.

women who marched Saturday in Minsk carried umbrellas in white and red colors of opposition flag. y also held placards stating ir professions to underline widespre opposition to Lukashenko's 26-year rule among people of various occupations, chanting “Go away!” as a demand for president's resignation.

Police arrested at least 10 march participants, according to Viasna human rights center in Belarus. Smaller anti-government demonstrations were also held in several or cities.

Daily protests in Belarus have continued despite arrests and pressure, peaking on weekends with crowds of 100,000 and more. Ar big protest is set for Sunday.

United States and European Union have dismissed August election as neir free r fair and introduced sanctions against top Belarusian officials accused of vote manipulation and a crackdown on peaceful protesters.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell discussed situation in Belarus among or issues during a phone call on Friday.

State Department said y agreed Belarusian authorities need to “eng in a meaningful dialogue with genuine representatives of civil society,” including Lukashenko's leing election opponent, opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya. EU and United States also reiterated "ir strong support for independence and sovereignty of Belarus,” State Department said.

EU has warned it is rey to sanction Lukashenko himself if he fails to enter talks with opposition. Belarusian leer has igred demands to negotiate and relied inste on political and ecomic support from Russia, his main ally and sponsor.

On Thursday, EU awarded its top human rights prize to Tsikhauskaya, 38, and Belarus opposition movement. A former English teacher with previous political experience, Tsikhauskaya joined presidential race after her husband was jailed in Belarus and prevented from running. He remains in prison.

Tsikhauskaya, who moved to Lithuania after election under pressure from Belarusian authorities, put forward an ultimatum to Lukashenko: anunce his resignation by Oct. 25 or face a nationwide strike.