Unrest In Belarus -- News Updates August 17, 2020

Reuters: 'I'm not a saint': Lukashenko offers to hand over power after referendum

MINSK (Reuters) - Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, said on Monday he would be ready to hold new elections and hand over power after a constitutional referendum, an attempt to pacify mass protests and strikes that pose the biggest challenge yet to his rule.

He made the offer, which he insisted would not be delivered on while he was under pressure from protesters, after exiled opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was willing to lead the country.

In a sign of his growing vulnerability, Lukashenko faced heckling and chants of “step down” during a speech to workers at one of the large state-run factories that are the pride of his Soviet-style economic model and core support base.

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WNU Editor: The Belarusian President is sounding more and more desperate. The entire country is now on strike, and support for the President has clearly evaporated. The Kremlin meanwhile continues to adopt a watch and see approach towards Belarus right now .... Belarus chaos brings a poker-faced response from Russia (AP). I am willing to bet that many Belorussians with ties to the Kremlin are rigth now telling Putin and his inner circle that they should not worry on what they are happening and that they should not interfere. The priority is to get rid of President Lukashenko, not altering Russia - Belarus relations.

Unrest In Belarus -- News Updates August 17, 2020

Belarus live updates: Lukashenko hints at new elections after constitutional change -- DW
'Resign!': Alexander Lukashenko heckled by factory workers in Minsk -- The Guardian
Lukashenko promises fresh elections in Belarus after new constitution is adopted via nationwide referendum -- RT
Embattled Belarus leader jeered by workers as strikes grow -- AP
Belarus leader: Ready to share power, but not under pressure -- Al Jazeera
'We will perish': embattled Lukashenko sends SOS to Putin -- The Guardian
Lukashenko resists new elections as challenger Tikhanouskaya says she is 'ready to lead' -- France 24
Lukashenko: Re-election out of question, power to be delegated only through constitution -- TASS
Belarus protests: Workers boo Lukashenko as election unrest spreads -- BBC
Protestors pack Belarus capital, Russia offers Lukashenko military help -- France 24
Belarus opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls for new election laws in video from Lithuania -- ABC News Online
Belarus: Tsikhanouskaya calls on security forces to switch allegiance -- DW
Belarus television broadcasts empty studio as state media joins general strike -- DW
EU leaders urged to tell Moscow not to meddle in Belarus -- The Guardian
In Belarus, privacy apps help resist internet shutdown -- DW
Belarus protests: 'There's no way back. The people will not forgive this' -- Sarah Rainsford BBC News
In pictures: Belarus rocked by anti-government protests -- BBC