Belarusian opposition urged to prepare for democracy push amid rumors of Lukashenko's ill health.

Exiled Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to be ready to turn Belarus into a democracy as rumors about the health of President Alexander Lukashenko swirl. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, has not been seen in public since May 9, and unconfirmed media reports suggest he is in the hospital. Tsikhanouskaya's call for readiness comes as the opposition works on a joint action plan with democratic forces for when something happens. Belarus is a staunch ally of Russia, and Moscow has troops garrisoned inside Belarus, making it a sensitive issue for the international community.