Lithuania declares state of emergency in border with Belarus

VILNIUS, Nov. 10: Lithuania's parliament on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in its border region with Belarus, the first time since the country's independence.

The state of emergency, which is expected to come into effect on Wednesday, comes in response to hundreds of migrants trying to enter Poland from Belarus that led to disputes with the Polish security forces on Monday, according to local media LRT.

The state of emergency covers the entire border with Belarus and five kilometers inland, as well as in the migrant accommodation facilities in Kybartai, Medininkai, Pabrade, Rukla and Vilnius.

The state of emergency will last for one month and could be extended later if needed, according to Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte.