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Refugee crisis in Europe

Serbian president allows putting army on alert to repel external threats — minister

It means that the Serbian defense minister has the right to mobilize the army to maintain law and order in the country if police fail to do that on their own

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS Archive

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Serbia not planning to join NATO or other military alliances — ambassador

BELGRADE, February 25 /TASS/. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has allowed the country’s Defense Ministry to put the army on combat alert to protect Serbian citizens, the Serbian state and its property from external threats," Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic told journalists after a National Security Council meeting held on Thursday.

The Council discussed the migrant crisis on the so-called "Balkan route", which is also running through Serbia.

It means that the Serbian defense minister has the right to mobilize the army to maintain law and order in the country if police fail to do that on their own. "State bodies and security services will have enough time, space and opportunities to repel any security challenge and defend the state order and citizens, Selakovic explained.

"The security of citizens and safety of their property is an absolute priority for all state power bodies, which are obliged to ensure their protection," the Serbian justice minister emphasized.

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