Belarus President Considers Strength Piece, On His Terms

MOSCOW—Belarus’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, facing rising nationwide protests, acknowledged he became ready to piece energy, nonetheless handiest on his own phrases, as the foremost opposition leader acknowledged she became ready to manual the Eastern European nation.

Demonstrators took to the streets in cities and towns round Belarus for a ninth consecutive day Monday, whereas some tell-endeavor staff went on strike, venting their frustration over the nation’s disputed Aug. 9 presidential vote.

Mr. Lukashenko—who claimed 80% of the vote in what opponents screech became a rigged election—blamed the nation’s unrest on in another country provocateurs. He told staff at a tell factory in Minsk that authorities comprise been engaged on variations of a novel constitution that would possibly permit a redistribution of powers.

The Belarusian leader has acknowledged he would possibly be willing to quit energy, nonetheless handiest after a referendum and the adoption of a novel constitution and no longer thanks to facet road protests.

“You would perchance perchance never inquire from me to kind one thing below force,” Mr. Lukashenko acknowledged, in conserving with tell data agency, Belta.