Lithuania consolidates border with Belarus

Chief of the Lithuanian State Border Defence Service Algimantas Songaila ordered to consolidate the border with Belarus.

These measures are to be taken before US President George Bush's visit. However, the leading staff of the border service denied any connection between these events. The winter season caused the increase in smuggling and illegal migration.

The Lithuania has the longest border with Belarus (about 650 kilometres). Two groups of illegal Chechen migrants were detained there in November. They were sent back to Belarus.