MINSK, March 22 (RIA Novosti) - Opposition supporters who took to the streets in the Belarusian capital Monday to protest the results of the weekend's presidential vote have continued their rally into Wednesday.
Several hundred protesters camped out in downtown Minsk through the night to express their support for the main opposition candidate, Alexander Milinkevich, who denounced Sunday's election as fraudulent and demanded a rerun.
Sunday's elections saw incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, dubbed "Europe's last dictator" by Washington, re-elected for a third term with 82.6% of the vote. Milinkevich garnered just 6%, according to official results.
Despite hopes that the rally could lead to a change of power similar to those in other former Soviet republics, Milinkevich said it was unlikely to lead to regime change in Belarus. He also announced his intention to form a democratic coalition.
"It is impossible to overthrow the present regime by holding rallies," Milinkevich said Wednesday. "I am going to form a democratic coalition that will fight for freedom in Belarus."
Opposition parties are planning another rally for Saturday, Milinkevich said.
A Polish parliamentarian detained in Minsk Tuesday for taking part in the opposition rally has been released on condition he leave the country immediately, Polish embassy officials said.
