Belarus leader hails country's approach to virus

The Belarus president on Tuesday hailed the decision not to shut down the economy amid the virus outbreak and called for more exports to reopened foreign markets.

"All the countries have closed themselves and shut down their economy, while we have been working," Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with government officials.

He was speaking as the top opposition candidate in the presidential vote left for Lithuania and called on her supporters to end demonstrations.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said it was her own choice to leave and apologised to her supporters

She made the comments in a video statement, looking haggard and distressed.

Her campaign aides said she made the unexpected move under duress.

Tsikhanouskaya’s husband has been at a Belarusian jail since his arrest in May.

Lukashenko didn't comment either on Tsikhanouskaya's statement or the continuing protests during the meeting with government officials.