Related: Belarus police clear Minsk Square of demonstrators

    MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Belarus urged the United States and the European Union (EU) on Friday to respect its people's choice for their leader and dismissed as "unpromising" Western sanctions and restrictions on Belarus following the presidential election.

    "If the United States and the EU respect our people, they must respect their choice," Belarussian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

    "Restrictions put in place in response to the popular choice mean the rejection of Belarussian people's right to live their own way rather than follow somebody's instructions. This is not the best policy and, what is more important, it is unpromising," the ministry said, adding Belarus retains the right to take counter-steps.

    Incumbent Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko was officially declared on Thursday the winner of the country's presidential election, securing a third term in office. But the opposition claimed the vote was rigged and demanded a rerun.

    The United States has refused to accept the election results and said it plans to impose financial sanctions and travel restrictions against Belarussian officials.

    Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, whose country currently holds the EU rotating presidency, said on Friday the EU "has decided to take restrictive measures against those who are responsible for the violation of the international electoral standards, including President Lukashenko." Enditem