Belarus borders remain open despite leader’s closure threat

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko gestures as he addresses a women’s forum in Minsk, Belarus (TUT.by via AP)

Belarus’ borders with Poland and Lithuania remained open on Friday despite the nation’s president declaring they would be closed and accusing the neighbouring nations of instigating nearly six weeks of protests against his 26-year of authoritarian leadership.

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said late on Thursday that he was putting the army on high alert and closing the country’s borders with Lithuania and Poland.