Strike looms in Belarus over election result

Fresh strikes are expected in Belarus after a weekend which saw tens of thousands takes to the streets to demand the departure of long-term president Alexander Lukashenko.

Opposition leaders called for the strikes as anger grew over reports of police violence as well as alleged poll-rigging in the 9th august vote.

The president, who claimed a landslide victory, remains defiant.

He called on supporters to defend their country and independence.

However, protesters came out in far larger numbers, with reports describing the peaceful demonstration as the largest in the history of independent Belarus.

The wave of anger has been rising since the central election commission said Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, won 80.1% of the vote and the main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 10.12%.

Meanwhile, the UK has rejected the result of Belarus election describing it as fraudulent.

UK’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab called for an urgent investigation into the ballot’s serious flaws.

Raab also condemned acts of violence by the Belarusian authorities to suppress peaceful protests following the re-election of president alexander Lukashenko.

He said the government will work with international partners to sanction those responsible and hold the country’s authorities to account.