BELARUSIAN President Alexander Lukashenko said he would put troops on high alert and close the borders with Poland and Lithuania today, but didn’t carry out the threat.

Border officials said crossings were open as usual but that inspections and checks were being stepped up, while officials of the Polish and Lithuanian border agencies said cross-border traffic was normal.

Mr Lukashenko had warned of the closures while addressing a women’s forum, For Belarus, which drew thousands to the Minsk Arena to discuss women’s rights, saying: “I don’t want my country to be at war. Moreover I don’t want Belarus and Poland, Lithuania to turn into a theatre of military operations where our issues will not be resolved.”