The exiled leader of Belarus' pro-democracy movement says that renewed protests and diplomatic pressure will lead to a peaceful political transition and new, free and fair elections.

Alexander Lukashenko declared a landslide victory in Aug. 9 polls widely seen as fraudulent. He was sworn in for a sixth term Wednesday in a secret ceremony in the capital, according to state media.

Protesters in Minsk took to the streets in large numbers Sunday for the fifth weekend in a row, demanding that authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko step down.

Speaking to NPR from Lithuania, the challenger to longtime President Alexander Lukashenko says "women understood that they are leaders" in the struggle.