Lukashenko: West works out scenario of power change in Belarus

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said that the West is planning a scenario of forced power transition in Belarus.

He made the statement at a meeting with participants of the 52nd meeting of the Council of Heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of the CIS member states, Belta reports.

According to him, "members of illegal armed formations" are being trained in Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine, as well as "attempts are being made to create sleeping extremist cells" in Belarus.

"As for Belarus, I can note that in Poland, Lithuania and, unfortunately, in Ukraine, members of illegal armed formations are being trained, and attempts are being made to create sleeping extremist cells directly in the country. Recent facts show this. ...That is, we are preparing a scenario of a forced power change. We see it. We will not allow this," Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko also said that the "military-political situation" is escalating around the CIS.

"And we need to understand that the major players around us - Russia, Belarus, the Central Asian states - are slowly trying to pull us apart. We must not allow this," he said.

He noted "the increasing militarization of the NATO bloc countries and the unprecedented concentration of troops" near the borders of Belarus. He sees informational and psychological impact, as well as the spread of fakes, as major threats right now.