Thousands of anti-government protesters marched again in Serbia on Monday with baton-wielding riot police chasing them in downtown Belgrade, prompting Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic to reiterate his pledge of a planned major crackdown against the demonstrators.

BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic called on Friday for dialogue with anti-government protesters following more than nine months of demonstrations and recent riots in the Balkan country that have challenged his rule.

Serbian police have fired tear gas at anti-government protesters in downtown Belgrade as they clashed for the third day on the streets of the country's capital and other cities amid reports of police brutality and excessive use of force during the unrest.