MINSK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Belarus will enhance its military capabilities in light of growing threats, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Wednesday.
"As threats continue to grow, Belarus will take symmetrical measures and increase its combat power," the Belarusian leader was quoted by local media as saying during his speech at a session of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly.
Lukashenko added that the West is attempting to drag Belarus into war and provoking the country.
He warned that Western states should not "push Belarus towards asymmetric measures."
Lukashenko was elected chairman of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly on Wednesday. The All-Belarusian People's Assembly is recognized as the premier representative body of democracy in Belarus, after new amendments to the Belarusian constitution. ■