CHISINAU, February 17. /TASS/. NATO’s package of assistance to Moldovadoes nnot include lethal weapons, Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii said on Friday.

"Moldova will receive a package on non-lethal assistance from NATO nations to strengthen our defense potential. It includes consultations, training and equipment for personal protection of servicemen and for emergencies of various nature," he said, adding that the alliance’s assistance will go to "develop the defense and security potential, modernize the armed forces, boost resistance to new threats, train experts, counteract hybrid threats and ensure cyber protection, and to strengthen strategic cooperation with the alliance."

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said earlier that the latest meeting of the NATO defense ministers in Brussels approved a package of non-lethal assistance to Moldova. During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Moldovan resident Maia Sandu asked Western partners to supply Moldovan army with air defense systems and other weapons in light of violations of Moldova’s airspace amid the conflict in Ukraine. According to Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean, more hybrid attacks backed by "criminal groups" that organized mass opposition protests are expected in the country in the near future.

Opposition protests swept across Moldova last summer demanding resignation of President Sandu and the government.

On Monday, Sandu said that opposition forces, including the Sor party, was plotting a state coup and called for wider authority for the Information and Security Service and other law enforcement agencies.