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Lukashenka says that he is not afraid of European criticism

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in Monday's interview with Euronews that he was not "afraid" of criticism on the part of European institutions.

"I have been reelected as the president of Belarus. I have to serve my people and secure peace and security for this country," the Belarusian leader said.

"Everything that happened yesterday was recorded by the press - including foreign journalists and including Euronews. If you were honest, you would show what happened. These were riots. The organizers and participants should explain themselves. They will do so but not to me - I don’t need to hear it, I’m not bloodthirsty - they will answer before the people of Belarus in accordance with our laws," Mr. Lukashenka said.

He claimed that the only difference between the dispersals of street protests in Belarus and France, where the TV channel is based, was that Belarus' police did not use tear gas and water cannons. "So we are still a long way from your version of democracy," he added caustically.

When asked about the condition of his rival in the election, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, who had been beaten by police and later brought to a detention center, Mr. Lukashenka said, "As for Mr. Nyaklyayew, we have a very good health system, just as good as what you have in France. They take charge of all health problems, including those suffered by former presidential candidates. I’m not a doctor so I can’t comment on those kind of questions."

Mr. Lukashenka went on to say that "it’s not eight or nine candidates being investigated, I’d say it’s between two and three."

In fact five of Mr. Lukashenka's rivals in the election were held in the KGB jail in Minsk on Tuesday morning.

Mr. Lukashenka said that he was not annoyed by OSCE observers' report that said that the election had fallen short of democratic standards, claiming that "everything the observers wrote in their report pointed to a considerable step forward compared to the 2006 election." "It’s a massive step and this can form the basis to build our relations with Europe. There are those who want to interpret the situation in Belarus in an impartial way," he said.

He expressed certainty that "all problems with the EU will be resolved shortly." "All I ask is that you be more objective. Euronews journalists should not work in a non-objective manner. Up till now, you have not been neutral in your coverage of what has been happening in Belarus," he said. //BelaPAN