Canadian Foreign Minister: Lukashenka Has No Legitimacy, He Is Not President Of Belarus

Canada will support the people of Belarus.

Aliaksandr Lukashenka cannot be considered "president of Belarus" as he does not have enough legitimacy for that.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne stated that during the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council, Ukrinform reports.

"Canada is firmly convinced that Aliaksandr Lukashenka does not have enough legitimacy. We continue to advocate for implementing the recommendations of the Moscow Mechanism report, in particular, the release of all selectively detained persons, the beginning of an essential dialogue between the authorities and the opposition in order to find a peaceful way out of the situation and to stop violence committed by the authorities and well documented," - he said.

Champagne noted that "Canada supports the people of Belarus, as it has always done and will continue to do in the future. We will not remain silent when violence is committed and democracy is destroyed".

Speaking at the Council of Foreign Ministers of OSCE countries, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun called on Belarus to release all political prisoners.

After massive rigging of the presidential election, Belarus began protests and strikes across the country on August 9.

Belarusians are demanding new, fair elections and the release of political prisoners.

At least four protesters were killed in the course of brutal dispersal of anti-government rallies. The law enforcers were using tear gas, water cannons, light-noise grenades and rubber bullets against the protesters, they were brutally being beaten.

Most countries have not recognized Lukashenka as a re-elected president of Belarus.