Belarus leader cites alleged NATO threat to shore up rule

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian leader is accusing NATO of hatching aggressive plans as he tries to shore up his 26-year rule amid weeks of demonstrations against his re-election in a vote the opposition says was rigged. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the nation of 9.5-million people with an iron fist since 1994, blamed the West on Friday for fomenting demonstrations in the country in the hope of using it as a “bridgehead against Russia.” NATO