MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya stated that she was ready to become a national leader on Monday.

"I am ready to assume the responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm," she said in a video address posted on YouTube.

She demanded to release "all political prisoners" in the republic as well as "to prepare as soon as possible the legal framework and the conditions to organize new presidential elections, real, honest, and transparent elections which will be unreservedly recognized by the global community."

In Belarus, protest rallies have been continuing for a week. The protesters do not agree with the announced results of the presidential election in which, according to the Central Election Commission, incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.10% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent, came second with 10.12%. Immediately after exit poll results were announced, mass protests erupted, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Tikhanovskaya’s headquarters stated that it did not recognize Lukashenko’s victory. Tikhanovskaya left Belarus for Lithuania on the night of August 10-11.