Macron offers EU mediation for Belarus, with Russia

FRANCE: French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday offered EU-led mediation for Belarus, where police have cracked down on post-election protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.

"A dialogue between the authorities, the opposition and civil society is essential," Macron said as he hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks at his Mediterranean presidential retreat.

"We hope that this dialogue can be established by the Belarusians themselves. But the European Union stands ready to accompany it, if our role of mediation can be useful and is desired by the Belarusians, with other institutions... and including Russia," Macron said.

Merkel, for her part, said Lukashenko "has not sought to speak" to any EU leaders about the ongoing crisis.

The ex-Soviet country's authoritarian leader claimed a sixth term after an August 9 ballot that sparked historic protests and a punitive police crackdown.

Macron said Thursday that he, Merkel, and EU chief Charles Michel have had "several exchanges" with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the situation in Belarus.

"We have insisted on the necessity to have a democratic, inclusive transition in Belarus via dialogue," said the French leader.

He said Putin has expressed himself in favour of the OSCE regional security body being part of any mediation effort.

"It is President Lukashenko who is reticent," said Macron.