MINSK, September 28. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes the country’s armed forces must be ready for the most serious clashes in order to avoid them.

On Monday, the Belarusian president appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces Pavel Muraveyko as the new deputy head of the Presidential Administration. Lukashenko said that no one recommended Muraveyko for the position and that the appointment was made on his own prerogative, a move that caught the current leadership of the Presidential Administration, the State Secretariat of the Security Council and the military a bit off guard, BelTA reported.

Lukashenko said that Muraveyko can offer a fresh perspective on the situation within the armed forces, adding that he trusts his judgement and views him as a competent and professional person.

"An alternative and non-mainstream point of view must be present at the highest level. I need this. I want our armed forces to be ready for the most serious clashes and events so that we can avoid them. Our only goal is to protect the land where we live," the Belarusian president said.