One of the biggest protests in Minsk: Lucas' flight required

At one of the largest opposition gatherings in Belarus's history, tens of thousands of people in Minsk demanded the departure of President Alexander Lukashenko, who refuses to withdraw, a week after his controversial re-election.

“Go!”, was the call of protesters gathered around the monument to World War II victims singing in front of the Belarusian leader.

France Presse estimates more than 100,000 gathered, while independent media Tut. By saying this is the largest gathering since the country's independence in 1991.

At the invitation of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Alexander Lukashenko's main opponent in the presidential election, Belarusites also protested in a number of other cities in the country.

Today, at noon, Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, appeared at Minsk's Independence Square ahead of about 10,000 of his supporters, the AFP reports.

“I have called you here not to protect me, but to protect your country and its independence for the first time in a quarter century,” he said.

Belarus's 65-year-old president has refused an opposition request to hold the new presidential elections, as he won 80 per cent of the vote on 9 August, but has also sparked claims of fraud.

If we were to do this, everything would be irreversible out of control,” he told the collections.

Lukashenko also said the West wants to impose a government from outside. Next to him stood the youngest son, Nikolai Lukashenko, who is sometimes represented as his potential successor.

There is widespread belief that Alexander Lucas is the result of electoral fraud, while more and more supporters have his opponent Tikhanovskaya (37), who fled to Lithuania.

Following last Sunday's elections, special forces have killed at least two people and injured dozens more.

Since Thursday, protests have spread, and opposition rallies are emerging throughout the country.

Large gatherings are now being held mainly without arrest, and Belarusian authorities have withdrawn, announcing the release of more than 2,000 out of a total of 6,700 arrested.

The Kremlin has said earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged support in line with the military agreement if the country is put under pressure from abroad.