World News | Career Diplomat Appointed New Belarus Foreign Minister

Estonia, Dec 14 (AP) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has appointed a career diplomat to succeed the country's foreign minister, whose sudden death last month triggered speculation about foul play.

Sergei Aleinik, 57, replaces the deceased Vladimir Makei, whose circumstances of death have not been made public by the authorities of Belarus.

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Before his appointment on Tuesday, Aleinik served as first deputy foreign minister and represented Belarus in the United Nations, the Vatican and Great Britain.

Makei's sudden death at age 64 triggered speculation because he leaned toward Western countries.

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Some media and observers alleged — without offering evidence — that Makei could have been poisoned by security agencies of Belarus' main ally Russia, which had warily watched Makei's efforts to negotiate a rapprochement with the West.

Aleinik's appointment may indicate Lukashenko's desire to reduce Russia's influence, said Pavel Latushko, an opposition leader who worked at the Belarus Foreign Ministry.

“Aleinik is completely devoted to the system, but at the same time he is the one who is inclined to establish some kind of communication with the West,” Latushko told The Associated Press. “The appointment of Aleinik may indicate Lukashenko's desire to reduce Russia's influence and increase communication with the West.” (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)