Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said that the country had defeated a foreign "blitzkrieg" after massive protests and rallies that were held across the country to push the strongman out of power after decades-long rule.&nbsp;

"The blitzkrieg did not succeed, we held on to our country," Lukashenko in a speech at the opening of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Lukashenko is presiding the People's Assembly which he announced late last year to push for reforms in the wake of huge protests.&nbsp;

Nearly 3,000 delegates that are hand-picked by the government are participating in the assembly, a traditional meeting from the Soviet era.

For the last six months, there has been a brutal crackdown from Belarusian government on dissenters that demand his exit after the controversial presidential election whos credibility is questioned internationally.&nbsp;

He has not hinted on the possible reforms and insisted he will not leave "presidency".

"I will not suddenly give up the presidency," Lukashenko recently said.&nbsp;

"I have nothing other than Belarus. I cling to it and I hold on to it". 
&nbsp;

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said that the country had defeated a foreign "blitzkrieg" after massive protests and rallies that were held across the country to push the strongman out of power after decades-long rule.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said that the country had defeated a foreign "blitzkrieg" after massive protests and rallies that were held across the country to push the strongman out of power after decades-long rule. "The blitzkrieg did not succeed, we held on to our country," Lukashenko in a speech at the opening of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly in Minsk said. Watch | Lukashenko is presiding the People's Assembly which he announced late last year to push for reforms in the wake of huge protests. Nearly 3,000 delegates that are hand-picked by the government are participating in the assembly, a traditional meeting from the Soviet era. For the last six months, there has been a brutal crackdown from Belarusian government on dissenters that demand his exit after the controversial presidential election whos credibility is questioned internationally. He has not hinted on the possible reforms and insisted he will not leave "presidency". "I will not suddenly give up the presidency," Lukashenko recently said. "I have nothing other than Belarus. I cling to it and I hold on to it".

Foreign 'blitzkrieg' on Belarus failed: Alexander Lukashenko

At least 100,000 Belarusian protesters took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday in in ongoing protests calling for Belarus' authoritarian president to resign.

This was one of the biggest demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko after he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents say was rigged.

Hundreds of soldiers blocked off the center of Minsk, deploying water cannons and armored personnel carriers and erecting barbed wire barriers.

As public anger continued to build against Lukashenko, who has ruled the former Soviet nation for 26 years, Moscow offered him support by saying it would send paratroopers to Belarus for “Slavic Brotherhood” joint drills.

A wave of protests has swept Belarus since the Aug. 9 presidential election, which demonstrators say was actually won by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Key opposition figures have since either been jailed or fled the country, with Tsikhanouskaya now in Lithuania.

Lukashenko denies the election was rigged and has said foreign powers are behind the protests.

Meanwhile, European Union’s diplomatic chief has said that the European Union does not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 100,000 Belarusian protesters took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday in in ongoing protests calling for Belarus' authoritarian president to resign. This was one of the biggest demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko after he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents say was rigged.

At least 100,000 Belarusian protesters took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday in in ongoing protests calling for Belarus' authoritarian president to resign. This was one of the biggest demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko after he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents say was rigged. Hundreds of soldiers blocked off the center of Minsk, deploying water cannons and armored personnel carriers and erecting barbed wire barriers. As public anger continued to build against Lukashenko, who has ruled the former Soviet nation for 26 years, Moscow offered him support by saying it would send paratroopers to Belarus for “Slavic Brotherhood” joint drills. A wave of protests has swept Belarus since the Aug. 9 presidential election, which demonstrators say was actually won by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Key opposition figures have since either been jailed or fled the country, with Tsikhanouskaya now in Lithuania. Lukashenko denies the election was rigged and has said foreign powers are behind the protests. Meanwhile, European Union’s diplomatic chief has said that the European Union does not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus. (With inputs from agencies)

7th week of Belarus protests: 100,000 demonstrators flood streets against 'authoritarian president'

Belarusian human rights activist, opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said that Alexander Lukashenko will have to step down sooner or later.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Lukashenko will have to step down sooner or later!

Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has vowed to "stand till the end" in protests over disputed elections and subsequent violence.

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya vows to stand till the end in protest

We come in peace: Belarusian women dressed in white protest against corrupt leadership

Belarus government started releasing the detained prisoners to declare peace between the government and the citizens. The prisoners had been detained while protesting against Belarus President&nbsp;Alexander Lukashenko's rule.

The prisoners were released in the early hours of Friday and were greeted with friends and family who welcomed the detainees with tears, hugs, blankets, water and food.

The government also took responsibility for the violence that erupted during the protests.&nbsp;"I take responsibility and apologise for injuries of random people at the protests who got it in the neck," said Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karayev.

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The statement came after thousands of detained protestors complained of mistreatment in the cramped-up holding cells. Out of 6,700 detained protestors, hundreds of them came out with bruises over their bodies and face. Some of the detainees claimed they were beaten up after being dragged out of their cells. However,&nbsp;Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov declined any form of mistreatment or abuse in the holding cells.

President's ally, the head of a national state council Natalya Kochanova, announced that the President had called for a review for the detentions made. "We don`t fight, we don`t need war," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-says-police-detained-about-700-protesters-overnight-320212">Also read:&nbsp;Belarus says police detained about 700 protesters overnight</a>

While almost all prisoners were released from the Minsk detention centre, nearly two detainees lost their lives. EU Ambassadors reached the spot of the violence, later, to pay respects to the ones who lost their lives protesting against the government. "We are here to mourn the loss of life and also to show solidarity with the victims of the violence and abuse that has taken place over many Belarusian towns and cities over the last few days," EU envoy Dirk Schuebel said.

Belarus residents have been protesting against the sixth-term of the President&nbsp;Lukashenko, whom they accuse of rigging the election process to stay in power. However,&nbsp;Lukashenko has denied all allegations, claiming the protestors are colluding with foreign establishments and are criminals and unemployed people.

Belarus government started releasing the detained prisoners to declare peace between the government and the citizens. The prisoners had been detained while protesting against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's rule.

Belarus government started releasing the detained prisoners to declare peace between the government and the citizens. The prisoners had been detained while protesting against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's rule. The prisoners were released in the early hours of Friday and were greeted with friends and family who welcomed the detainees with tears, hugs, blankets, water and food. The government also took responsibility for the violence that erupted during the protests. "I take responsibility and apologise for injuries of random people at the protests who got it in the neck," said Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karayev. × The statement came after thousands of detained protestors complained of mistreatment in the cramped-up holding cells. Out of 6,700 detained protestors, hundreds of them came out with bruises over their bodies and face. Some of the detainees claimed they were beaten up after being dragged out of their cells. However, Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov declined any form of mistreatment or abuse in the holding cells. President's ally, the head of a national state council Natalya Kochanova, announced that the President had called for a review for the detentions made. "We don`t fight, we don`t need war," she said. Also read: Belarus says police detained about 700 protesters overnight While almost all prisoners were released from the Minsk detention centre, nearly two detainees lost their lives. EU Ambassadors reached the spot of the violence, later, to pay respects to the ones who lost their lives protesting against the government. "We are here to mourn the loss of life and also to show solidarity with the victims of the violence and abuse that has taken place over many Belarusian towns and cities over the last few days," EU envoy Dirk Schuebel said. Belarus residents have been protesting against the sixth-term of the President Lukashenko, whom they accuse of rigging the election process to stay in power. However, Lukashenko has denied all allegations, claiming the protestors are colluding with foreign establishments and are criminals and unemployed people.

Belarus protestors released; government denies violence in holding cells

Warning Belarusian President of a civil war, Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich asked Alexander Lukashenko to step down peacefully.&nbsp;

Alexievich was awarded the 2015 Nobel Literature Prize for her work which detailed the plight of people under the repressive Soviet rule.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarusians-should-have-the-freedoms-that-they-are-demanding-pompeo-319992">Belarusians should have the 'freedoms that they are demanding': Pompeo</a>

This was the first time the Nobel Prize-winning author commented on the protests that have erupted ever since Lukashenko won the controversial election in an interview to Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-president-lukashenko-refuses-to-relent-amid-protests-319806">Belarus President Lukashenko refuses to relent amid protests</a>

"Leave before it's too late, before you've thrown people into a terrible abyss, into the abyss of civil war," she said.&nbsp;

She further said that Lukashenko is obsessed with "power" which will "end up with blood" and blamed the authorities of "declaring war on their own people".&nbsp;

Expressing shock at the "inhumane, satanic" actions of riot police, Alexievich also hinted of Russian collaboration to deploy reinforcements.&nbsp;

She also spoke about frontline presidency candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, whom she backed ahead of the election, calling her a "symbol of change".&nbsp;

"She did what she could. I have nothing bad to say about her. Now let the men take the fore," the Nobel laureate said.&nbsp;

Alexievich also praised the protesters, saying: "I've simply fallen in love with my people over the last few weeks."

"These are completely different people, their strength is completely different. Before I used to be a bit disillusioned -- not now."

(With inputs from AFP)

Warning Belarusian President of a civil war, Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich asked Alexander Lukashenko to step down peacefully. Alexievich was awarded the 2015 Nobel Literature Prize for her work which detailed the plight of people under the repressive Soviet rule.

Warning Belarusian President of a civil war, Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich asked Alexander Lukashenko to step down peacefully. Alexievich was awarded the 2015 Nobel Literature Prize for her work which detailed the plight of people under the repressive Soviet rule. Also read | Belarusians should have the 'freedoms that they are demanding': Pompeo This was the first time the Nobel Prize-winning author commented on the protests that have erupted ever since Lukashenko won the controversial election in an interview to Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe. Also read | Belarus President Lukashenko refuses to relent amid protests "Leave before it's too late, before you've thrown people into a terrible abyss, into the abyss of civil war," she said. She further said that Lukashenko is obsessed with "power" which will "end up with blood" and blamed the authorities of "declaring war on their own people". Expressing shock at the "inhumane, satanic" actions of riot police, Alexievich also hinted of Russian collaboration to deploy reinforcements. She also spoke about frontline presidency candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, whom she backed ahead of the election, calling her a "symbol of change". "She did what she could. I have nothing bad to say about her. Now let the men take the fore," the Nobel laureate said. Alexievich also praised the protesters, saying: "I've simply fallen in love with my people over the last few weeks." "These are completely different people, their strength is completely different. Before I used to be a bit disillusioned -- not now." (With inputs from AFP)

Belarus: Nobel laureate asks President Alexander Lukashenko to step down