Tens of thousands of opponents of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have gathered in Minsk to protest against disputed elections.
The “March for Freedom”, planned for Sunday afternoon, comes amid growing anger over alleged poll-rigging and police violence at subsequent protests.
Meanwhile, in an address to a smaller crowd of several thousand, Mr Lukashenko blasted opponents as “rats”.
He called on supporters to defend their country and independence.
The rallies were taking place after Russia agreed to offer security assistance in the case of external military threats to Belarus. It emerged that Mr Lukashenko had twice spoken to President Vladimir Putin over the weekend.
The long-time Belarus leader also voiced concerns over Nato military exercises taking place in neighbouring Poland and Lithuania and launched into a tirade against the Western military alliance.
The unrest erupted after Mr Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory in last Sunday’s election, the result of which has been condemned amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
The Central Election Commission says Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, won 80.1% of the vote and the main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 10.12%.
But Ms Tikhanovskaya insists that where votes were properly counted, she won support ranging from 60% to 70%.
What is happening in Minsk?
Media reports suggest several thousand people were taking part in the pro-government rally.
Speaking to supporters, Mr Lukashenko said he did not like rallies and did not need anyone to defend him. He said it was not his fault that he had to ask for their help. Rejecting calls for a re-run of the presidential election he said Belarus would “die as a state” if that happened.
Image copyright Reuters
“You came here so that for the first time in a quarter-century you could defend your country, your independence, your wives, sisters and children,” he said.
He added that the opposition would “crawl like rats out of a hole” if they were not suppressed this time.
“This will be the beginning of your end – you will go down on your knees like in Ukraine and other countries and pray, God knows to whom.”
There are reports of state sector workers being forced to attend or face the threat of losing their jobs. For days, workers at state-run factories have staged walkouts and many have joined street marches against the president.
Media captionProtesters chant anti-government slogans in a show of defiance
His opponents were hoping to bring out many thousands of people for their march, called by Ms Tikhanovskaya who fled into exile in Lithuania a day after the election.
AFP news agency said tens of thousands had started gathering in central Minsk with the opposition’s red and white flags. Supporters are also out in other cities.
They have taken to the streets all week, and on Saturday evening they staged rallies outside the state television building.
Image copyright Reuters
Image caption Thousands complained that the state broadcaster gave a skewed picture of the protests
Some 100 TV staff came out to join them saying they planned a strike on Monday.
Several journalists have resigned over negative coverage of the demonstrations.
