Managua  - The spectre of huge protests and counter-protests at week's end in the capital city prompted Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Wednesday to urge his own supporters to practice non- violence.

His supporters have organized a demonstration of 100,000 people on Saturday to neutralize a massive protest planned by the opposition to the left-wing Sandinista leader.

The opposition has already announced a change in its route to avoid the Sandinistas. They charge Ortega intends to suppress free expression with violent stormtroopers as part of his plans to install a dictatorship. (dpa)