Hungarian army begins border protection exercises

Budapest plans to send soldiers to help police at the border where thousands of refugees arrive from Serbia every day.

Hungary's army has begun exercises to prepare for a possible future role in guarding the southern border to try to stem the influx of refugees.

Budapest plans to send soldiers to help police at the border where thousands of refugees arrive from Serbia every day.

A new razor-wire barrier is already being built along the frontier. MPs are expected to vote on stricter border controls later this month.

Authorities have been told to expect 40,000 more refugees by next week.

Many of them are fleeing conflicts in countries like Syria and Libya and are trying to travel through Hungary to Germany, Austria and Sweden - wealthier EU nations with more liberal asylum laws.