BBC World Service
Friday, 29 September, 2000, 18:52 GMT 19:52 UK

Yugoslavia opposition
holds strikes, rallies

Tens-of-thousands of people in Yugoslavia
have again been taking to the streets, as the
opposition puts pressure on President Slobodan
Milosevic to stand down following elections last
Sunday.

There were rallies in Belgrade and a number of
other towns and cities, and strikes were
staged even at state industries previously loyal
to President Milosevic.

Opposition leaders have called a general strike
starting on Monday.

At a rally in Belgrade, a statement from the
opposition candidate, Vojislav Kostunica, called
for other countries to help force a recount of
the ballots, to prove he won outright.

A further rally is being staged in the capital
shortly. Russia, which has said it won't exert
pressure either way on Belgrade, is sending its
special Balkans envoy, Vladimir Chizhov, to talk
to both sides on Monday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service