Thousands of protestors in the Central American country of Nicaragua took to the streets of Managua against President Daniel Ortega, who opposition parties and citizens' groups accuse of attempting to set up a dictatorship.

There were fears about the protestors resorting to clashes with Ortega supporters, who are also expected to bring thousands to the streets of the capital city.

The opposition called the action Saturday in order to commemorate the Nov 8, 2008 local elections, which the opposition claims were won by a majority of Ortega-allied candidates by fraud.

In addition, demonstrators were also showing their opposition to Ortega's intention of running in 2011 for another term as president despite a constitutional bar.

The country's supreme court has recently ruled to allow Ortega to contest another presidential election.