Tens of thousands rally for Belarus opposition march

Minsk: Tens of thousands of Belarus protesters joined an opposition rally in Minsk on Sunday in the latest mass protest against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, AFP reporters at the scene and local media reported.

Despite heavy security force presence, which prevented many lines of people from reaching the main crowd, protesters packed the centre of the Belarusian capital with crowds waving the opposition's red and white flag and chanting "Leave".

Police made scores of arrests from the start of the protest in the early afternoon, but didn't resort to tear gas or rubber bullets as they did at previous marches protesting against the August 9 election which the opposition claims was rigged.

Many protesters brandished placards mocking the veteran leader on the occasion of his 66th birthday, some carrying a coffin decorated with a cockroach. Others confronted the anti-riot police, shouting at them to get out of the way.

Images of protests in other towns, such as Brest and Grodno, were circulated by the opposition. On the two preceding Sundays, an estimated 100,000 people marched through the streets of Minsk, defying an official ban.