The Belarusian capital holds a mass rally in support of the government
Xinhua News Agency, Minsk, August 16 (Reporter Wei Zhongjie and Li Jia) A large-scale mass gathering was held in the center of Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on the 16th to support the government in maintaining national tranquility and peace.
About 70,000 people held a mass rally in support of the government in Independence Square that day. Davydiko, chairman of the "White Rus" National Social Union who organized the rally, expressed his support for a strong, prosperous, peaceful and independent Belarus.
Belarusian President Lukashenko said at the rally that there is no problem of false votes in the Belarusian presidential election. The opposition should respect the opinions of the overwhelming majority and should not encourage people to go to violent confrontation, lest the country fall into chaos.
Lukashenko said that NATO troops are stationed near the Belarusian border, and the increase in the military strength of neighboring countries poses an external threat to Belarus. If Belarus re-holds presidential elections, the country will fall into chaos. He stated that Belarus resolutely defends the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty and will not hand over to foreign countries the beautiful country that the people have built so hard to build, and "never allow this to happen."
Belarus held presidential elections on the 9th. Five candidates including the current President Lukashenko participated in the election. The Central Election Commission announced the final vote count on the 14th, and Lukashenko won with 80.1% of the vote.
Large-scale protests have taken place in Minsk and some other cities in the past few days. In the first few days of the protests, some protesters confronted law enforcement officials and caused riots, which have now turned into peaceful protests.