VILNIUS, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's parliament has backed a constitutional amendment that would remove a ban on the deployment of weapons of mass destruction on Lithuanian territory, potentially opening the way for allied nuclear weapons to be stationed in the Baltic state, local news reported Tuesday.

The amendment passed its first reading in the parliament on Tuesday with 106 lawmakers in favor, 18 against and six abstaining.

A final vote cannot take place until at least three months later and will require support from at least 94 of the 141 members of parliament, known as Seimas.

Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas said the final vote is expected on Jan. 12.

Lithuania's Constitution prohibits weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on its territory.

The proposed amendment removes the reference to weapons of mass destruction while leaving the ban on foreign military bases in place.

"We cannot fully participate in NATO's nuclear deterrence plans under the current restriction," opposition conservative leader Laurynas Kasciunas said.

Lithuanian lawmakers opposing the constitutional change said a decision of such significance should be put to voters in a referendum. ■

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