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Brussels faces week on lockdown as hunt for terror cell intensifies Brussels faces week on lockdown as hunt for terror cell intensifies
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of Belgians face massive disruption this week as the country’s security services intensify their search for a network of Islamic militants believed to be planning a series of attacks on targets in the nation’s capital, Brussels. Europe’s unofficial capital faces an unprecedented security lockdown this week after Belgian authorities imposed a slew of safety-first measures to prevent a “serious and imminent” terrorist attack.
Soldiers patrolled streets in the centre of Brussels on Sunday with armoured vehicles deployed outside main stations and in public spaces, as the authorities indicated that there were at least two individuals at large in the Brussels area who “could commit very dangerous acts.” Charles Michel, the Belgian prime minister, said schools and universities would be shut on Monday while the Metro in the city, which had been expected to partially open after being suspended over the weekend, will not run.
Transport remained severely restricted with the city’s metro system suspended. It was unclear if schools and government offices would open as normal on Monday morning. Belgian counter-terrorist agencies are continuing their search for a network of Islamic militants as soldiers patrol the streets with armoured vehicles outside main stations and in public spaces.
On Saturday the Belgian government raised the threat level in and around the capital to four, the highest level, indicating a “serious and immediate threat” and deployed armed forces to supplement armed local police. “We still fear attacks here like those that occurred in Paris, involving several individuals striking simultaneously in several places,” Michel told a tense press conference, adding that there were “indications” that transport systems, commercial centres, shopping streets and busy places were targets.
Shops and restaurants remained shut on Sunday in Brussels with few locals in the streets. Museums and cinemas were also closed. Local media described the measures, particularly the closure of schools, as unprecedented and historic, and predicted mass disruption. It remained unclear how the lockdown would affect Europe’s political executive, the European commission.
“We realise that these measures will complicate economic and professional life … and we are doing everything we can to return to normality as soon as possible,” Michel told reporters. His words came after the government raised the threat level in and around Brussels to four, the highest level, and deployed hundreds of troops to supplement armed local police.
Soldiers were reportedly descending on the Radisson Blu hotel in Brussels and sealing it. Shops and restaurants remained shut on Sunday in Brussels with few locals in the streets. Museums and cinemas were also closed. Prospects for Britain’s Davis Cup tennis clash with Belgium on Friday going ahead appeared slim.
“We’ve never had this kind of terrorist threat here before. It’s very unexpected, almost surreal,” said Alinka Le Comte, 26, a shop assistant in the centre of the city.“We’ve never had this kind of terrorist threat here before. It’s very unexpected, almost surreal,” said Alinka Le Comte, 26, a shop assistant in the centre of the city.
However, tourists continued to throng sights such as the city’s main square. Tourists continued to throng sights such as the city’s main square however. “It is reassuring to see the police. We are concerned, but not frightened,” said Emilio Bravo, who had travelled to Brussels from Alicante, Spain.
“It is reassuring to see the police. We are concerned, but not frightened,” said Emilio Bravo, who had travelled to Brussels from Alicante, Spain.
The Sunday morning market at the city’s Eurostar terminal Gare du Midi – one of the biggest outdoor markets in Europe – was called off. Busy trains from Paris were subject to extra security measures.The Sunday morning market at the city’s Eurostar terminal Gare du Midi – one of the biggest outdoor markets in Europe – was called off. Busy trains from Paris were subject to extra security measures.
Belgian officials have said that they are hunting at least two men. One is 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to have played a role in the attacks which killed 130 people in Paris nine days ago.Belgian officials have said that they are hunting at least two men. One is 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to have played a role in the attacks which killed 130 people in Paris nine days ago.
The Belgian interior minister, Jan Jambon, said “several suspects” tied to the Paris attacks could be at large in the country, amid speculation that a series of cells may be planning further strikes in the heart of the European Union. The Belgian interior minister, Jan Jambon, said “several suspects” tied to the Paris attacks could be at large in the country, amid speculation that a series of cells may be planning further strikes in the heart of the European Union. A meeting of security agencies and senior ministers was held on Sunday afternoon to decide whether the metro will be allowed to function on Monday morning when the working week starts.
A meeting of security agencies and senior ministers was held on Sunday afternoon to decide whether the metro will be allowed to function tomorrow morning when the working week starts. Other measures may be relaxed, or stiffened, depending on inputs from counter terrorist agencies, officials said. “We are clearly dealing with intelligent individuals who can change their targets and tactics depending on what we do...So all this could take a certain time, that’s obvious,” Koen Geens, the justice minister, told a local TV network.
Other measures may be relaxed, or stiffened, depending on inputs from counter terrorist agencies, officials said.
“We are clearly dealing with intelligent individuals who can change their targets and tactics depending on what we do...So all this could take a certain time, that’s obvious,” Koen Geens, the justice minister, told a local TV network.
Geens said in another interview that the government had no intention of “economically paralysing” Brussels.Geens said in another interview that the government had no intention of “economically paralysing” Brussels.
Many in Belgian’s Muslim community, which numbers around 600,000, fear a backlash as tensions continue.Many in Belgian’s Muslim community, which numbers around 600,000, fear a backlash as tensions continue.
“We are very happy to see the searches and hear about the arrests,” said Dekhili Marouan, a 35-year-old catering worker who arrived in Belgium from Tunisia five years ago. “It’s frightening for everybody. I’m worried too about people here blaming all of us Muslims for this. These people who do this kind of violence, they are not Muslims.”“We are very happy to see the searches and hear about the arrests,” said Dekhili Marouan, a 35-year-old catering worker who arrived in Belgium from Tunisia five years ago. “It’s frightening for everybody. I’m worried too about people here blaming all of us Muslims for this. These people who do this kind of violence, they are not Muslims.”
Belgian officials have rejected widespread criticism of the country’s intelligence services and counter-terror efforts. But the news that a Belgian man suspected of undertaking reconnaissance for the Paris attacks’ targets has been held by Turkish police has underlined the country’s role as a base for those behind the plot.Belgian officials have rejected widespread criticism of the country’s intelligence services and counter-terror efforts. But the news that a Belgian man suspected of undertaking reconnaissance for the Paris attacks’ targets has been held by Turkish police has underlined the country’s role as a base for those behind the plot.
Belgium reportedly supplies more foreign fighters to Syria than any other EU country in per capita terms. Many have come from Molenbeek, a run-down Brussels borough with a large Muslim community that has long been a concern.Belgium reportedly supplies more foreign fighters to Syria than any other EU country in per capita terms. Many have come from Molenbeek, a run-down Brussels borough with a large Muslim community that has long been a concern.
Jambon, a Flemish nationalist, said that of 130 foreign fighters who were known to have come home from Syria, 85 were living in Molenbeek, which lies just west of the city centre.Jambon, a Flemish nationalist, said that of 130 foreign fighters who were known to have come home from Syria, 85 were living in Molenbeek, which lies just west of the city centre.
In an interview with Belgian television on Sunday, the brother of Abdeslam, the fugitive terrorist suspect, said he was convinced the alleged extremist had “decided not to go through with the attack.”In an interview with Belgian television on Sunday, the brother of Abdeslam, the fugitive terrorist suspect, said he was convinced the alleged extremist had “decided not to go through with the attack.”
“Maybe he saw something or heard something that was not what he had expected and decided not to go right to the very end of what he had decided to do,” said Mohamed Abdeslam, urging his brother to give himself up. “We would rather see Salah in prison than in the cemetery.”“Maybe he saw something or heard something that was not what he had expected and decided not to go right to the very end of what he had decided to do,” said Mohamed Abdeslam, urging his brother to give himself up. “We would rather see Salah in prison than in the cemetery.”
Speaking to Belgian TV on Saturday night, Carine Coquelet, the lawyer of one of the two men detained in Brussels last week, said her client admitted picking up Abdeslam in Paris shortly after the terrorist strike there and driving him back to Brussels. She said that Abdesalam may have been wearing a belt of explosives under a coat.Speaking to Belgian TV on Saturday night, Carine Coquelet, the lawyer of one of the two men detained in Brussels last week, said her client admitted picking up Abdeslam in Paris shortly after the terrorist strike there and driving him back to Brussels. She said that Abdesalam may have been wearing a belt of explosives under a coat.
The US embassy in Brussels advised Americans to cancel their weekend plans and stay indoors. The Foreign Office delivered similar advice for the high numbers of Britons in Brussels, which is also home to the Nato headquarters.The US embassy in Brussels advised Americans to cancel their weekend plans and stay indoors. The Foreign Office delivered similar advice for the high numbers of Britons in Brussels, which is also home to the Nato headquarters.
Geens, the justice minister, said that the Paris attacks had shown that the profile of potential targets had changed.Geens, the justice minister, said that the Paris attacks had shown that the profile of potential targets had changed.
“It’s no longer synagogues or the Jewish museums or police stations, it’s mass gatherings and public places.”“It’s no longer synagogues or the Jewish museums or police stations, it’s mass gatherings and public places.”