Belarus leader blames US for chaos, vows to end protests

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Authorities in Belarus have detained a factory strike organizer and threatened protesters with criminal charges in the latest response to massive post-election protests challenging the country’s authoritarian president. President Alexander Lukashenko accused the United States of fomenting the unrest and vowed Friday to ensure a quick end to the protests demanding his resignation after 26 years. The U.S. has urged Belarus officials ’ authorities to engage in a dialogue with an opposition council created this week to facilitate a transition of power. Investigators, however, summoned several opposition activists for questioning as part of a criminal probe into creating the council. Protesters jammed the streets of Minsk for a 13th straight day of anti-government marches.