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US expels last Belarus diplomats US expels last Belarus diplomats
(20 minutes later)
The US has ordered the expulsion of the remaining six Belarus diplomats in Washington and New York, the Associated Press news agency has said.The US has ordered the expulsion of the remaining six Belarus diplomats in Washington and New York, the Associated Press news agency has said.
The US is to close its own embassy in the Belarus capital Minsk, AP reports.The US is to close its own embassy in the Belarus capital Minsk, AP reports.
Belarus has been given until 16 May to close its embassy in Washington and its consulate in New York, US officials told AP.Belarus has been given until 16 May to close its embassy in Washington and its consulate in New York, US officials told AP.
On Wednesday, Belarus ordered the expulsion of 10 US diplomats as relations worsen between the countries.On Wednesday, Belarus ordered the expulsion of 10 US diplomats as relations worsen between the countries.
The US has been critical of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his harsh treatment of opposition figures.The US has been critical of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his harsh treatment of opposition figures.
In early 2005, the US called the former Soviet republic Europe's only remaining "outpost of tyranny".In early 2005, the US called the former Soviet republic Europe's only remaining "outpost of tyranny".
US sanctionsUS sanctions
American officials said Belarus was told of the decision to expel its diplomats from the US in simultaneous meetings between representatives of the two countries in Minsk and Washington, AP reported.American officials said Belarus was told of the decision to expel its diplomats from the US in simultaneous meetings between representatives of the two countries in Minsk and Washington, AP reported.
It is the latest in a string of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between the two countries.It is the latest in a string of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions between the two countries.
In March, Belarus ordered the US ambassador to leave.In March, Belarus ordered the US ambassador to leave.
The US has called Belarus Europe's last "outpost of tyranny"
The order was made after Washington imposed sanctions on the country's state-controlled oil-processing and chemicals company, Belneftekhim.The order was made after Washington imposed sanctions on the country's state-controlled oil-processing and chemicals company, Belneftekhim.
The firm accounts for about a third of the country's foreign currency earnings.The firm accounts for about a third of the country's foreign currency earnings.
The US has called Belarus Europe's last "outpost of tyranny"
On Wednesday, the US was given 72 hours to send 10 of its 15 remaining diplomats in Minsk home.On Wednesday, the US was given 72 hours to send 10 of its 15 remaining diplomats in Minsk home.
The US state department called the expulsions "unjustified and unwarranted" and said it wanted good relations with Belarus.The US state department called the expulsions "unjustified and unwarranted" and said it wanted good relations with Belarus.
"But we are not going to do that and sacrifice the principles of pushing for freedom of expression, political freedoms and other freedoms in Belarus," said state department spokesman Sean McCormack."But we are not going to do that and sacrifice the principles of pushing for freedom of expression, political freedoms and other freedoms in Belarus," said state department spokesman Sean McCormack.
The US has been strongly critical of the human rights situation in Belarus.The US has been strongly critical of the human rights situation in Belarus.
The US - along with the European Union - has restricted the travel of President Lukashenko and members of his inner circle.The US - along with the European Union - has restricted the travel of President Lukashenko and members of his inner circle.
Both the US and the EU have demanded that Belarus frees political prisoners, and allows more democracy, before normal relations can be restored.Both the US and the EU have demanded that Belarus frees political prisoners, and allows more democracy, before normal relations can be restored.
Earlier this week, Mr Lukashenko said the issue of freeing political prisoners was closed after the release of several detainees.
"If the Americans introduce new sanctions and think we will collapse, that's rubbish," he said.
Belarus has built close economic and diplomatic links with Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, and a number of Middle Eastern countries.
These links have kept its economy afloat despite years of condemnation from the West, says the BBC's regional analyst Steven Eke.