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| Paris attacks: Brussels on lockdown over threat of 'imminent' Isis attack - live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.17pm GMT12:17 | 12.17pm GMT12:17 |
| Afternoon summary | Afternoon summary |
| Here is the the latest on the international response to “imminent” threats from Islamic State extremists, with Brussels quickly becoming the focus of the most recent developments: | Here is the the latest on the international response to “imminent” threats from Islamic State extremists, with Brussels quickly becoming the focus of the most recent developments: |
| Elsewhere: | Elsewhere: |
| Updated at 12.40pm GMT | |
| 12.03pm GMT12:03 | 12.03pm GMT12:03 |
| Kareem Shaheen | Kareem Shaheen |
| Kareem Shaheen, the Guardian’s Middle East reporter, has got more details of the Belgian national arrested in Turkey on suspicion of scouting out targets for the Paris terror attacks. | Kareem Shaheen, the Guardian’s Middle East reporter, has got more details of the Belgian national arrested in Turkey on suspicion of scouting out targets for the Paris terror attacks. |
| Turkish security forces arrested Ahmad Dahmani, who is 26 and of Moroccan origin, at a luxury hotel in Antalya, along with two others. All three have appeared in court and remain in custody. | Turkish security forces arrested Ahmad Dahmani, who is 26 and of Moroccan origin, at a luxury hotel in Antalya, along with two others. All three have appeared in court and remain in custody. |
| “We believe that Dahmani was in contact with the terrorists who perpetrated the Paris attacks,” a statement from Turkish officials said. “We were able to confirm that Dahmani arrived from Amsterdam on November 14, 2015. There is no record of the Belgian authorities having warned Turkey about Dahmani – which is why there was no entry ban. | “We believe that Dahmani was in contact with the terrorists who perpetrated the Paris attacks,” a statement from Turkish officials said. “We were able to confirm that Dahmani arrived from Amsterdam on November 14, 2015. There is no record of the Belgian authorities having warned Turkey about Dahmani – which is why there was no entry ban. |
| “The police apprehended Dahmani based on intelligence gathered by the Turkish intelligence. We haven’t been able to confirm that the security forces worked with our allies in this operation.” | “The police apprehended Dahmani based on intelligence gathered by the Turkish intelligence. We haven’t been able to confirm that the security forces worked with our allies in this operation.” |
| A Turkish official said: “The Turkish security forces dealt a major blow to ISIS by arresting Ahmad Dahmani and his accomplices. Intelligence sharing is absolutely necessary if the international community wants to combat terrorism. | A Turkish official said: “The Turkish security forces dealt a major blow to ISIS by arresting Ahmad Dahmani and his accomplices. Intelligence sharing is absolutely necessary if the international community wants to combat terrorism. |
| “Had the Belgian authorities alerted us in due time, Dahmani could have been apprehended at the airport. We urge our allies to continue sharing information with us. Either way, we are pleased to see that three terrorists have been brought to justice. This is what matters today.” | “Had the Belgian authorities alerted us in due time, Dahmani could have been apprehended at the airport. We urge our allies to continue sharing information with us. Either way, we are pleased to see that three terrorists have been brought to justice. This is what matters today.” |
| 11.56am GMT11:56 | 11.56am GMT11:56 |
| Fans hoping to see the French rocker Johnny Hallyday in concert in Brussels tonight will be disappointed: | Fans hoping to see the French rocker Johnny Hallyday in concert in Brussels tonight will be disappointed: |
| Johnny Hallyday's Brussels concert cancelled. This is getting serious. https://t.co/8ioJHX3w1f | Johnny Hallyday's Brussels concert cancelled. This is getting serious. https://t.co/8ioJHX3w1f |
| 11.46am GMT11:46 | 11.46am GMT11:46 |
| Are you in Brussels? Tell us what it’s like in the capital this weekend by sharing your experiences, images and video with us using GuardianWitness. We’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting. | Are you in Brussels? Tell us what it’s like in the capital this weekend by sharing your experiences, images and video with us using GuardianWitness. We’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting. |
| Click on the button at the top of the feed to contribute. | Click on the button at the top of the feed to contribute. |
| 11.35am GMT11:35 | 11.35am GMT11:35 |
| L’Echo has more details on the search which uncovered a cache of weapons in Molenbeek last night. | L’Echo has more details on the search which uncovered a cache of weapons in Molenbeek last night. |
| A search was conducted on Friday at the home of a suspect placed under arrest, federal prosecutors said on Saturday. Some weapons have been discovered, but no explosives or explosive belt. | A search was conducted on Friday at the home of a suspect placed under arrest, federal prosecutors said on Saturday. Some weapons have been discovered, but no explosives or explosive belt. |
| […] | […] |
| The suspect was arrested Thursday in the series of searches carried out in Brussels. The person concerned is suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks and participation in activities of a terrorist group. | The suspect was arrested Thursday in the series of searches carried out in Brussels. The person concerned is suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks and participation in activities of a terrorist group. |
| 11.28am GMT11:28 | 11.28am GMT11:28 |
| All shopping centres in Brussels are being closed this afternoon, according to reports. | All shopping centres in Brussels are being closed this afternoon, according to reports. |
| At least one, the Woluwe shopping centre in the east of Brussels, was in the past few minutes also being evacuated, according to local media reports and Twitter users. | At least one, the Woluwe shopping centre in the east of Brussels, was in the past few minutes also being evacuated, according to local media reports and Twitter users. |
| All Brussels shopping centres will be closed this afternoon. City2, Westland, Woluwe shopping, Galerie Toison d’or... | All Brussels shopping centres will be closed this afternoon. City2, Westland, Woluwe shopping, Galerie Toison d’or... |
| Stockel and Woluwe shopping centers just closed down unexpected. People were asked to leave imediately#BrusselsAlert | Stockel and Woluwe shopping centers just closed down unexpected. People were asked to leave imediately#BrusselsAlert |
| The reasons for the sudden decision, which was not part of the heightened security measures announced earlier today, are still unclear. | The reasons for the sudden decision, which was not part of the heightened security measures announced earlier today, are still unclear. |
| Updated at 11.29am GMT | Updated at 11.29am GMT |
| 11.17am GMT11:17 | 11.17am GMT11:17 |
| A tweet from Brussels shows armoured personnel carriers in the streets of the city, which is home to many European institutions as well as the headquarters of NATO. | A tweet from Brussels shows armoured personnel carriers in the streets of the city, which is home to many European institutions as well as the headquarters of NATO. |
| An eyewitness says the city looks like a military base. | An eyewitness says the city looks like a military base. |
| In #Brussels - APCs on the streets as Level 4 terror alert declared. pic.twitter.com/vlsl7qdoaX | In #Brussels - APCs on the streets as Level 4 terror alert declared. pic.twitter.com/vlsl7qdoaX |
| Metro closed, all football games cancelled and city center looks like military base. #Brussels 2015 #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/FP8UoCOFv5 | Metro closed, all football games cancelled and city center looks like military base. #Brussels 2015 #Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/FP8UoCOFv5 |
| 11.13am GMT11:13 | 11.13am GMT11:13 |
| Belgian police discovered a cache of weapons and explosives on Friday night when they raided a property in the Vandepeerboom Street area of Molenbeek, Brussels, according to a report in La Capitale. | Belgian police discovered a cache of weapons and explosives on Friday night when they raided a property in the Vandepeerboom Street area of Molenbeek, Brussels, according to a report in La Capitale. |
| The Belgian paper reports that a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition was discovered, as well as explosives. At this stage it is not known whether the raid led to any arrests. | The Belgian paper reports that a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition was discovered, as well as explosives. At this stage it is not known whether the raid led to any arrests. |
| The discovery of the arsenal could be the reason for the heightened terror alert in the Belgian capital today. | The discovery of the arsenal could be the reason for the heightened terror alert in the Belgian capital today. |
| Updated at 11.16am GMT | Updated at 11.16am GMT |
| 11.07am GMT11:07 | 11.07am GMT11:07 |
| Security has been stepped up at key water supply sites in Paris, after the French prime minister warned the country could not rule out attacks from “chemical or biological weapons”. | Security has been stepped up at key water supply sites in Paris, after the French prime minister warned the country could not rule out attacks from “chemical or biological weapons”. |
| The heightened security comes as reports claim that biohazard suits have been stolen from a Paris hospital, the Telegraph reports. | The heightened security comes as reports claim that biohazard suits have been stolen from a Paris hospital, the Telegraph reports. |
| Eau de Paris, the municipal water company, yesterday told Le Parisien that access to its sites has been limited to only the necessary service personnel, and that they have been accredited by the defence ministry. | Eau de Paris, the municipal water company, yesterday told Le Parisien that access to its sites has been limited to only the necessary service personnel, and that they have been accredited by the defence ministry. |
| The measures have been in place since last Saturday. | The measures have been in place since last Saturday. |
| 10.57am GMT10:57 | 10.57am GMT10:57 |
| Terrorist arsenal found in Brussels suburb | Terrorist arsenal found in Brussels suburb |
| A terrorist arsenal has been discovered during overnight searches in a suburb of Brussels, Belgian paper Dernière Heure reports. | A terrorist arsenal has been discovered during overnight searches in a suburb of Brussels, Belgian paper Dernière Heure reports. |
| Chemicals and explosives were among the items found in the Molenbeek suburb, a rundown neighbourhood where Paris attacker Abdelhamid Abaaoud was suspected of operating a terrorist cell. | Chemicals and explosives were among the items found in the Molenbeek suburb, a rundown neighbourhood where Paris attacker Abdelhamid Abaaoud was suspected of operating a terrorist cell. |
| The find came as Belgium’s capital entered a security lockdown. The government has warned that there could be a repeat of Paris-style attacks in the country’s capital, prompting the closure of subways in Brussels and the deployment of heavily armed police and soldiers. | The find came as Belgium’s capital entered a security lockdown. The government has warned that there could be a repeat of Paris-style attacks in the country’s capital, prompting the closure of subways in Brussels and the deployment of heavily armed police and soldiers. |
| At least one Paris attacker, Salah Abdeslam, crossed into Belgium the morning after the attacks which killed 130 last week. A Paris police official and the Paris prosecutor’s office said Saturday they had no firm information on Abdeslam’s whereabouts, including whether he was in the Brussels area. | At least one Paris attacker, Salah Abdeslam, crossed into Belgium the morning after the attacks which killed 130 last week. A Paris police official and the Paris prosecutor’s office said Saturday they had no firm information on Abdeslam’s whereabouts, including whether he was in the Brussels area. |
| Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to raise the threat level was taken “based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris ... where several individuals with arms and explosives launch actions, perhaps even in several places at the same time.” | Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to raise the threat level was taken “based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris ... where several individuals with arms and explosives launch actions, perhaps even in several places at the same time.” |
| Belgium’s national Crisis Center raised its terrorism alert for the Brussels region to Level 4, which indicates a “serious and immediate threat.” Belgium’s special security Cabinet held an emergency meeting Saturday morning. | Belgium’s national Crisis Center raised its terrorism alert for the Brussels region to Level 4, which indicates a “serious and immediate threat.” Belgium’s special security Cabinet held an emergency meeting Saturday morning. |
| Heavily armed police and soldiers patrolled Saturday morning at key intersections of the Belgian capital, a city of more than 1 million that is home to the headquarters of the European Union, the NATO alliance and offices of many multinational corporations. | Heavily armed police and soldiers patrolled Saturday morning at key intersections of the Belgian capital, a city of more than 1 million that is home to the headquarters of the European Union, the NATO alliance and offices of many multinational corporations. |
| Locals were told to avoid gatherings, train stations, airports and commercial districts. Service was halted on the Brussels Metro, as well as on streetcar lines that run underground. | Locals were told to avoid gatherings, train stations, airports and commercial districts. Service was halted on the Brussels Metro, as well as on streetcar lines that run underground. |
| Updated at 11.17am GMT | Updated at 11.17am GMT |
| 10.43am GMT10:43 | 10.43am GMT10:43 |
| David Cameron to meet Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday | David Cameron to meet Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday |
| David Cameron will visit Paris on Monday for talks with French president Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace. | David Cameron will visit Paris on Monday for talks with French president Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace. |
| A Number 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will travel to Paris on Monday morning for talks with President Hollande at the Elysee. They are expected to focus on counter-terrorism co-operation and the fight against Isil in Syria and Iraq.” | A Number 10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will travel to Paris on Monday morning for talks with President Hollande at the Elysee. They are expected to focus on counter-terrorism co-operation and the fight against Isil in Syria and Iraq.” |
| The planned visit comes are the prime minister seeks to bolster support for UK air strikes in Syria, after the United Nations Security Council backed a French-sponsored resolution designed “to combat by all means this unprecedented threat”, saying IS “constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security”. | The planned visit comes are the prime minister seeks to bolster support for UK air strikes in Syria, after the United Nations Security Council backed a French-sponsored resolution designed “to combat by all means this unprecedented threat”, saying IS “constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security”. |
| Cameron said the vote “shows beyond doubt the breadth of international support for doing more in Syria and for decisive action to eradicate” IS, which he described as “this evil death cult”. | Cameron said the vote “shows beyond doubt the breadth of international support for doing more in Syria and for decisive action to eradicate” IS, which he described as “this evil death cult”. |
| 10.21am GMT10:21 | 10.21am GMT10:21 |
| Abdelhamid Abaaoud was seen on CCTV footage from two cameras at the Croix de Chavaux metro station, French police trying to trace his movements during the attacks eight days ago have said. | Abdelhamid Abaaoud was seen on CCTV footage from two cameras at the Croix de Chavaux metro station, French police trying to trace his movements during the attacks eight days ago have said. |
| Police say that the footage shows a man they believe is Abaaoud leaping over the gates of the station at 10pm, while the attack at the Bataclan theatre was still continuing, BFM TV reports. | Police say that the footage shows a man they believe is Abaaoud leaping over the gates of the station at 10pm, while the attack at the Bataclan theatre was still continuing, BFM TV reports. |
| Croix de Chavaux station is located 250m from the where the Black Seat, rented by Brahim Abdeslam, that was used by the terrorists who opened fire on the restaurants. It was found on Saturday with three Kalashnikovs inside. | Croix de Chavaux station is located 250m from the where the Black Seat, rented by Brahim Abdeslam, that was used by the terrorists who opened fire on the restaurants. It was found on Saturday with three Kalashnikovs inside. |
| 10.01am GMT10:01 | 10.01am GMT10:01 |
| Brussels terror alert raised over fears of Paris-type attack - PM | Brussels terror alert raised over fears of Paris-type attack - PM |
| The Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, has told a press conference that the decision to raise the terror alert in Brussels was taken “based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris.” | The Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, has told a press conference that the decision to raise the terror alert in Brussels was taken “based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris.” |
| The Associated Press quoted Michel as saying that the fear was that “several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack ... perhaps even in several places.” | The Associated Press quoted Michel as saying that the fear was that “several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack ... perhaps even in several places.” |
| He added, “We urge the public not to give in to panic, to stay calm. We have taken the measures that are necessary.” | He added, “We urge the public not to give in to panic, to stay calm. We have taken the measures that are necessary.” |
| Updated at 10.39am GMT | Updated at 10.39am GMT |
| 9.36am GMT09:36 | 9.36am GMT09:36 |
| Belgium’s interior minister has said the country’s situation is “serious” but under control with the nation at its highest state of alert, Associated Press reports. | Belgium’s interior minister has said the country’s situation is “serious” but under control with the nation at its highest state of alert, Associated Press reports. |
| “The situation is serious, otherwise we would not go to Level 4. But the situation is under control,” Jan Jambon told reporters as he arrived for a special security Cabinet meeting on Saturday. | “The situation is serious, otherwise we would not go to Level 4. But the situation is under control,” Jan Jambon told reporters as he arrived for a special security Cabinet meeting on Saturday. |
| Elsewhere in Brussels, life seemed to go on much as usual, with plenty of traffic in the streets, despite the presence of heavily armed police and soldiers on patrol. | Elsewhere in Brussels, life seemed to go on much as usual, with plenty of traffic in the streets, despite the presence of heavily armed police and soldiers on patrol. |
| The Pro League, the federation of Belgium’s top soccer clubs, said it would play this weekend’s games as scheduled despite a recommendation from the government that they be cancelled. | The Pro League, the federation of Belgium’s top soccer clubs, said it would play this weekend’s games as scheduled despite a recommendation from the government that they be cancelled. |
| 9.26am GMT09:26 | 9.26am GMT09:26 |
| All metro train stations in Brussels will be closed on Saturday and trams will only operate above ground, AFP reports. | All metro train stations in Brussels will be closed on Saturday and trams will only operate above ground, AFP reports. |
| Brussels transport operator STIB said on its website: “On the recommendation of the crisis centre of the Federal Interior Public Service, all our metro and light railway stations... will stay closed today. This is a precautionary measure.” | Brussels transport operator STIB said on its website: “On the recommendation of the crisis centre of the Federal Interior Public Service, all our metro and light railway stations... will stay closed today. This is a precautionary measure.” |
| “Buses will be running but some trams will be affected by this measure,” added the network, which said a decision would be taken “in consultation with relevant authorities and the police, day by day, whether to reopen the stations”. | “Buses will be running but some trams will be affected by this measure,” added the network, which said a decision would be taken “in consultation with relevant authorities and the police, day by day, whether to reopen the stations”. |
| 9.01am GMT09:01 | 9.01am GMT09:01 |
| Belgium’s Crisis Centre will not give details of the reasons for the raised terror threat levels, Belgian news agency Belga reports, nor will it say how long the Level 4 status will remain in force. | Belgium’s Crisis Centre will not give details of the reasons for the raised terror threat levels, Belgian news agency Belga reports, nor will it say how long the Level 4 status will remain in force. |
| “The situation is monitored permanently. It can therefore be re-evaluated at any time if new evidence comes to us,” Peter Mertens, spokesman for the Crisis Centre, was quoted as saying. The Belgian government is expected to make a statement on the raised alert this morning. | “The situation is monitored permanently. It can therefore be re-evaluated at any time if new evidence comes to us,” Peter Mertens, spokesman for the Crisis Centre, was quoted as saying. The Belgian government is expected to make a statement on the raised alert this morning. |
| 8.42am GMT08:42 | 8.42am GMT08:42 |
| Grenades were thrown at officers as they stormed the flat where Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected co-ordinator of the Paris attacks, was killed, a senior police officer has said. | Grenades were thrown at officers as they stormed the flat where Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected co-ordinator of the Paris attacks, was killed, a senior police officer has said. |
| Deputy police commander Eric Gigou told the BBC: | Deputy police commander Eric Gigou told the BBC: |
| As soon as it started we heard machine guns and we also heard grenades because the guys inside threw grenades through their windows trying to injure us downstairs on the ground. | As soon as it started we heard machine guns and we also heard grenades because the guys inside threw grenades through their windows trying to injure us downstairs on the ground. |
| They sent grenades on the floor, the third floor, to injure my colleagues, so when I understood that they were fighting against us I was on the ground, then I decided to go upstairs with my colleagues fighting - not at the front, of course - but with my colleagues in the stairs, because I knew that it could last a long time because they had machine guns. | They sent grenades on the floor, the third floor, to injure my colleagues, so when I understood that they were fighting against us I was on the ground, then I decided to go upstairs with my colleagues fighting - not at the front, of course - but with my colleagues in the stairs, because I knew that it could last a long time because they had machine guns. |
| They tried to be able to keep their ammunition, they didn’t waste ammunition, they were shooting at us but they didn’t waste ammunition, so I thought that it could last a long time. | They tried to be able to keep their ammunition, they didn’t waste ammunition, they were shooting at us but they didn’t waste ammunition, so I thought that it could last a long time. |
| The three dead included Abaaoud and his female cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen, 26, but the third person’s identity and gender is yet to be ascertained, PA reports. | The three dead included Abaaoud and his female cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen, 26, but the third person’s identity and gender is yet to be ascertained, PA reports. |
| It was initially thought that Aitboulahcen blew herself up during the gunfight, but Paris prosecutors today confirmed she was killed in the police raid but was not a suicide bomber. | It was initially thought that Aitboulahcen blew herself up during the gunfight, but Paris prosecutors today confirmed she was killed in the police raid but was not a suicide bomber. |
| 8.32am GMT08:32 | 8.32am GMT08:32 |
| The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Britons visiting Belgium in response to the raised terror threat level in Brussels. Officials warn against going to crowded places, such as busy shopping centres, large events or even public transport. | The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Britons visiting Belgium in response to the raised terror threat level in Brussels. Officials warn against going to crowded places, such as busy shopping centres, large events or even public transport. |
| The guidance says: | The guidance says: |
| Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November and subsequent police raids in Belgium and France, the Belgian government has increased its national threat level to the top level, very serious, for the Brussels region, indicating that the threat of a terrorist attack is serious and imminent; people should avoid places where there is a high concentration of people, particularly in the Brussels region, including concerts, large events, stations and airports, public transport, busy shopping centres; follow the advice of local authorities and subscribe to email alerts for updates to this travel advice; the whole Brussels metro network will be closed on 21 and 22 November, many events such as football matches will be cancelled. | Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November and subsequent police raids in Belgium and France, the Belgian government has increased its national threat level to the top level, very serious, for the Brussels region, indicating that the threat of a terrorist attack is serious and imminent; people should avoid places where there is a high concentration of people, particularly in the Brussels region, including concerts, large events, stations and airports, public transport, busy shopping centres; follow the advice of local authorities and subscribe to email alerts for updates to this travel advice; the whole Brussels metro network will be closed on 21 and 22 November, many events such as football matches will be cancelled. |
| Updated at 8.33am GMT | Updated at 8.33am GMT |
| 8.10am GMT08:10 | 8.10am GMT08:10 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Welcome to our continuing coverage of the Paris attacks and their aftermath. Main developments as we launch today’s live blog include news of three arrests in Turkey; the Belgian capital, Brussels, being placed on its highest terror alert level; and the United Nations security council calling on member nations to take “all necessary measures” to fight Isis, wherever it holds territory. | Welcome to our continuing coverage of the Paris attacks and their aftermath. Main developments as we launch today’s live blog include news of three arrests in Turkey; the Belgian capital, Brussels, being placed on its highest terror alert level; and the United Nations security council calling on member nations to take “all necessary measures” to fight Isis, wherever it holds territory. |
| Three arrests reported in Turkey | Three arrests reported in Turkey |
| Brussels moves to highest ‘level four’ alert | Brussels moves to highest ‘level four’ alert |
| Security council votes for united front against Isis | Security council votes for united front against Isis |