Celebration and anger in Serbia

Celebrations turned to protests in several Serbian towns

As thousands of people across Serbia prepare to take to the streets again to defend what they see as a clear opposition election victory, the mood is one of celebration tainted with anger.

Young people have thrown their support behind the opposition

Opposition celebrations turned to protests in several towns on Tuesday night as they received news of the election commission's announcement that no candidate had won a majority of votes in the presidential vote.

"Serbian citizens will not allow anyone to erase their votes," the head of the Cacak local government, Milan Kandic, said to a crowd of some 15,000 people, who had gathered at a rally in the central town.

Protests were also held in Novi Sad, Jagodina and Cuprija, according to reports from the independent Beta news agency.

Determination

Opposition supporters say they are determined to stop Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from taking the presidential contest to a second round.

We won, and there are many more reasons to celebrate than anything else

Alexandra Joksimovic, DOS

Organisers say they expect at least 300,000 people to gather in the main square and surrounding streets in central Belgrade on Wednesday night, in the biggest rally since polling day on Sunday.

"We won, and there are many more reasons to celebrate than anything else," said Alexandra Joksimovic, International Secretary of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia.

"This is very different from anything we've ever had before. It's the first time that Milosevic is publicly announcing that he's losing," she told BBC News Online.

She described the mood as one of optimism and determination, saying that people's anger would ensure a final victory.

Getting the word out

In the absence of access to mainstream electronic media, the opposition have been relying on word of mouth to mobilise support.

Opposition leader Zoran Djindjic calls people to the streets

"People are talking about the elections so much that everybody knows about the rally. News is passed mouth to mouth," said Ms Joksimovic.

The independent radio station, Index, has also been broadcasting information about the opposition rallies, but there have been reports that it is being jammed in some parts of Belgrade.

Organisers have been distributing posters and leaflets throughout the city, with information about rallies and election results.