MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Deputies of the Russian lower house of parliament denounced on Wednesday the interference by some Western countries in internal affairs of Belarus, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

    Legislators expressed indignation over the fact that certain Western politicians exert "open pressure" on Belarus following the presidential election on Sunday. The U.S. administration, in particular, refused to recognize the results of the Sunday poll, which brought President Alexander Lukashenko back to power.

    Deputy Anatoly Lokot reminded the audience that over 300 representatives from Russia, including a major delegation of the State Duma, were observers at the presidential election in Belarus.

    "According to them, the election in the country was democratic and transparent, and no serious violations were fixed," he said.

    That was why, legislators "are surprised and indignant over theposition of Western leaders, who say the election was undemocratic and was held with major violations," Lokot stressed.

    State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov said a day before that "we recognize the results (of these elections)," responding to criticism of the Belarussian elections by a number of Western countries and international organizations.

    Gryzlov said the Belarussian presidential elections complied with national laws and international norms. He disagreed with the Belarussian opposition that demands new elections.

    Belarus' Central Election Commission announced early Monday that Lukashenko won re-election in Sunday's presidential vote with 82.6 percent of the vote.

    But his main rival Milinkevich, who electoral officials said received 6 percent, called the incumbent's tally "monstrously inflated" and urged a new vote in which Lukashenko should not be allowed to run.

    His push for a new vote is supported by the United States and the European Union. Enditem