Serbs take to the streets

Jubilation in the streets of Belgrade

More than 100,000 people gathered in towns and cities across Serbia for a second night on Monday, demanding that President Slobodan Milosevic concede defeat in Sunday's elections.

Open-air concerts were organised in many towns.

In Serbia's second city, Novi Sad, one of Yugoslavia's best-known singers, Djordje Balesevic, performed before a crowd of an estimated 30,000 in a central square.

"He is finished" says banner

With bleak humour he referred to the ubiquitous opposition slogan: "Gotov je" - "He's finished".

"If he [Milosevic] is not finished, then we are", Balasevic told the crowd.

A leader of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, Miodrag Isakov, paid tribute to the role played by the predominantly young members of the Otpor resistance movement.

"Our children have won. The members of Otpor have convinced their mothers and fathers. And we've achieved victory," he said.

Dancing to victory

Crowds thronged Belgrade's main square

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Belgrade's central square, dancing and celebrating until well into the night.

"The mood was really positive," said Tiodora Smiljkovic, 23, an Otpor activist.

"I've never seen so many people since '96. And they were all so happy and smiling. I'm really sure this is the final victory. We will be there until the end," she told BBC News Online.

The demonstrators said the police presence was minimal.

Free rock concerts have been organised in towns across the country as part of the "Exit 2000" campaign.

Reports from the opposition media say well over 130,000 people turned out in Belgrade's central square and the surrounding streets on Monday night.

The state news agency Tanjug, which usually ignores opposition events, reported that 25,000 people had gathered in the capital.

In other towns - Nis, Kraljevo and Sokobanja - cheering crowds also filled the central squares.

More rallies are planned for Wednesday evening.

Organisers say they expect Mr Milosevic to call a second round of elections, but they will contest any such announcement on the streets.