US expresses "deep regrets" over latest diplomatic moves by Belarus

The US notes with "deep regret" the government of Belarus' decision to request that the European Union (EU) head of delegation and Polish ambassador to Belarus return to their capitals for consultations, while simultaneously recalling its permanent representative in Brussels and ambassador in Warsaw, the US State Department said on Tuesday night.

"These actions, like the expulsion of the US ambassador to Belarus in 2008 and the closure of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) office in Minsk in March 2011, are only deepening Belarus' self-isolation," said the statement from department spokesman Mark Toner.

The US takes note of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton's statement today, which announced that ambassadors of all the EU member states in Minsk will be withdrawn for consultations to their capitals, in an expression of solidarity and unity, he said.

"The United States stands with our partners and joins them in calling on Belarus to end its repression of civil society and the democratic opposition," Toner said.