US TELLS FAMILIES OF GOVT STAFF IN BELARUS TO LEAVE

Washington, Feb. 1: The US told the families of its government employees in Belarus to leave the country, the State Department said on Monday, as fears grow of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The order came hours after Washington and Moscow clashed over Ukraine at the UN Security Council, and after Washington threatened to slap sanctions on wealthy Russian oligarchs if the ex-Soviet state is attacked.

The US also accused Russia on Monday of planning to build its military force in its ally Belarus to 30,000 within weeks.

The State Department warned Americans not to travel to Belarus “due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, and unusual Russian military buildup.