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The Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaya on her visit to the USA
Photo:
Robert Bumsted / AP
The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko should not like these photos: US President Joe Biden received the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaya in the White House.
Almost at the same time, pictures of the meeting appeared on the two Twitter accounts.
The meeting had not previously been officially announced.
"The USA stands by the people of Belarus in its pursuit of democracy and universal human rights," said Biden's Twitter account.
In her post, Tichanovskaya thanked her for a "strong sign of solidarity with millions of fearless Belarusians who are peacefully fighting for their freedom."
The world would stand behind them, it said.
"Belarus will be a success story."
Tichanovskaya ran against dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential election in August 2020.
After 26 years in power, Lukashenko was declared the election winner for the sixth time in a row - with more than 80 percent of the vote.
He then used massive violence against protests.
Tens of thousands of people were temporarily arrested, hundreds injured and several killed.
Tichanovskaya had already met US Secretary of State Blinken
Tichanovskaya said on Telegram that she had asked Biden for assistance so that Belarus could become a "successful example of a non-violent transition to democracy."
It is a "moral duty" for the USA to help the Belarusian people.
The 38-year-old also remembered numerous political prisoners in her homeland - including her husband Sergej Tichanowski.
Tichanovskaya has been trying for months to take action against the Lukashenko regime from exile.
Again and again she called on the USA to support the democracy movement in her home country.
There is urgent need for political prisoners and their families, civil society, the private sector and independent media.
In mid-July, she had already met the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
At the time, the White House spokeswoman said there were no plans to meet President Biden.
lukewarm / dpa