Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to expel the US ambassador if Washington imposes more sanctions on his country.

In the event of introducing serious economic sanctions on Belarus by the United States, the Belarusian side will respond in the most severe way in all directions -- political, economic and other directions, President Lukashenko told reporters.

The first person to be thrown out will be the US ambassador,'' he said.

US Ambassador Karen Stewart had said that the United States would impose new sanctions against Minsk over its refusal to free political prisoners and allow democratic freedoms.

AP/RA