Belarus Opposition Vows To Keep Pushing For New Elections

Opposition supporters light candles in solidarity with the people injured and arrested during last week's protests (epa) March 27, 2006 -- Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich is quoted today as saying activists would continue to press for a repeat presidential election to annul last week's victory by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

In an interview with Associated Press, Milinkevich said he believed cracks were forming in Lukashenka's rule.

But he said activists must now step back from their protests and focus on spreading the word in that change is possible.

Milinkevich also appealed to the European Union to press harder for the release of demonstrators arrested during the protests.

Reports said courts had begun sentencing demonstrators to 15 days in jail on charges of attending opposition rallies.

The opposition -- backed by Western government and observers -- say the poll was deeply flawed.

(AFP)