Lithuania asks UN agency to declare Belarusian airspace unsafe

VILNIUS – Lithuania has asked the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to declare Belarus' airspace unsafe and launch an investigation into the recent forced landing of a passenger plane en route to Vilnius in Minsk.

According to Lithuania's Transport Ministry, Lithuania has officially turned to the UN agency over the Sunday incident.

"Lithuania is officially asking the ICAO to launch an international investigation into all circumstances of this incident and is ready to provide all information for such an investigation. We are also asking to declare the Belarusian airspace unsafe," Lithuanian Transport Minister Marius Skuodis was quoted as saying in a statement released by the ministry of Tuesday.

It also states that there are serious signs that the Ryanair plane's forced landing violated the Chicago Convention and might be considered an unlawful action.

According to Skuodis, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has expressed its concern over threat to commercial flights over Belarus. The agency recommends for all European air carries to exercise caution when flying in the Minsk flight information region or above it.

On Monday, the Lithuanian government banned all incoming or outgoing flight operations over the territory of Belarus.