Britain has temporarily withdrawn its ambassador to Belarus due to the current political unrest in the latter country.
Belarus has been rocked by a wave of protests since Alexander Lukashenko, who has been president since 1994, declared victory in a highly controversial presidential election last August. He has been accused of electoral fraud but has repeatedly denied it. He has described his opponents as “the bride of the West”.
Dominic Raab, British Foreign Secretary, says the decision The withdrawal of the ambassador has been used to show solidarity with Poland and Lithuania. The governments of these countries have criticized Lukashenko. He has responded by expelling 35 diplomats from the two countries.
The president’s decision has been described by Foreign Minister Raab as “completely unjustified” and would further isolate the Belarusian people. It has therefore been decided to call the British Ambassador to Belarus, Jacqueline Perkins, to her home country.
Seven other European countries have recalled their ambassadors from Belarus over the situation.
