A sign Belarus is coming in from the cold

01/12/09 07:07 CET

world news

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The Italian prime minister has become the first Western leader to visit Belarus for 15 years.

Silvio Berlusconi was in Minsk mainly to discuss trade and investment opportunities, but his visit carries significant diplomatic undertones. Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has been shunned by the West since coming to power in 1994. He has been accused of stifling human rights and democratic values. President George W. Bush’s administration once referred to him as “Europe’s last dictator.” The EU imposed a visa ban on top Belarussian officials but lifted this ban last year to encourage reforms. On the face of it, the tactic has worked. Berlusconi’s visit came hours after the Belarussian parliament voted to relax the electoral law, a further sign that it is now a country the West can start to do business with.More about: Belarus, Italy, Silvio Berlusconi

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Eyewitness videos 'show Syrian oppression'

The Syrian city of Homs has come under heavy bombardment for the fifth day in a row, leaving at least 100 people dead, according to opposition activists. More unverified amateur footage…