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Political Foe of Belarusian President Urges EU to Reject Election

VOA News

   A political opponent of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko urged
   European Union leaders Wednesday not to recognize the country's recent
   presidential election, declaring it was rigged in favor of Lukashenko.

   Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issued the appeal from exile in neighboring
   Lithuania before European Union leaders hold an emergency summit to
   discuss the Belarus crisis.

   "I call on you not to recognize these fraudulent elections,"
   Tsikhanouskaya said. "Mr. Lukashenko has lost all legitimacy in the
   eyes of our nation and the world."

   Tsikhanouskaya says she is the winner of the election and has called
   for new elections under international supervision.

   Workers in Belarus began striking in recent days as part of a campaign
   to oust the authoritarian president after he extended his 26-year term
   in an election detractors contend was rigged. Lukashenko denies
   manipulating the election.

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