Workers from state-run industrial plants have joined tens of thousands of people on a fifth day of protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, despite a violent crackdown that has prompted western nations to consider new sanctions.

In several areas of Minsk, hundreds of women formed long "lines of solidarity", protesting against election results that extended the 26-year authoritarian rule of Mr Lukashenko and a subsequent police crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.

Many of them were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of loved ones who have been detained during protests that began shortly after Sunday's vote, which they said was rigged.

Official results said Mr Lukashenko won 80 per cent of the vote and his top opposition challenger got only 10 per cent.

In Minsk and other cities, hundreds of workers at industrial plants also rallied against the police violence, raising the prospect of massive strikes in a new challenge to the Government.

Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured in a police crackdown on demonstrators.

Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

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