Hungary authorises govt to use army in migration crisis

A migrant talks to the media in front of Hungarian riot police at the border crossing with Serbia in Roszke, Hungary September 16, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

BUDAPEST - Hungary's parliament on Monday passed a law to authorise the government to deploy the army to help handle a migrant crisis which would include powers to use non-lethal force.

The law stipulates the use of the army, which would be allowed to use rubber bullets, pyrotechnical devices, tear gas grenades or net guns, according to the text posted on Parliament's website.

The radical nationalist Jobbik party, which has advocated even tougher measures, supported Orban's centre-right Fidesz party in the vote, which passed with 151 votes to 12 against and 27 abstentions in the 199-member Parliament.