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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Belgium hit by general strike as EU leaders meet | Belgium hit by general strike as EU leaders meet |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Belgium is holding its first general strike in more than six years in protest over austerity measures, as EU leaders meet for a summit in Brussels. | Belgium is holding its first general strike in more than six years in protest over austerity measures, as EU leaders meet for a summit in Brussels. |
| The main train station in Brussels was closed while flights at Belgium's low cost airport Charleroi were cancelled. | The main train station in Brussels was closed while flights at Belgium's low cost airport Charleroi were cancelled. |
| At Brussels Airport, which remains open, a spokesman estimated about 10% of flights would be affected. | At Brussels Airport, which remains open, a spokesman estimated about 10% of flights would be affected. |
| EU leaders have gathered in Brussels to continue talks on the eurozone crisis - their first summit this year. | EU leaders have gathered in Brussels to continue talks on the eurozone crisis - their first summit this year. |
| They are expected to sign a treaty that will bind eurozone states to tougher budget rules known as the "fiscal compact". | They are expected to sign a treaty that will bind eurozone states to tougher budget rules known as the "fiscal compact". |
| Staff at the summit were asked to arrive for the 14:00 (13:00 GMT) meeting at 05:30 to avoid the disruption. | Staff at the summit were asked to arrive for the 14:00 (13:00 GMT) meeting at 05:30 to avoid the disruption. |
| The strike has brought most of the transport system in Brussels to a standstill. | The strike has brought most of the transport system in Brussels to a standstill. |
| Meanwhile, high-speed international trains, such as the Eurostar from London and Thalys from Paris, stopped running late on Sunday. | Meanwhile, high-speed international trains, such as the Eurostar from London and Thalys from Paris, stopped running late on Sunday. |
| The strike also affected the private sector, with production at the Audi and Volvo car plants disrupted, while employees walked off the job at the Coca-Cola factory near Antwerp. | The strike also affected the private sector, with production at the Audi and Volvo car plants disrupted, while employees walked off the job at the Coca-Cola factory near Antwerp. |
| Container terminals at the port of Antwerp were also shut, according to Belgian media. | Container terminals at the port of Antwerp were also shut, according to Belgian media. |
| Unions are protesting government plans aimed at saving 11.3bn euros ($14.8bn), including a proposal to raise the effective retirement age. | Unions are protesting government plans aimed at saving 11.3bn euros ($14.8bn), including a proposal to raise the effective retirement age. |
| "We are angry because they want to attack our pensions," Philippe Dubois, a railway union member outside Brussels' Midi station, told Reuters news agency. "We want to make some noise." | "We are angry because they want to attack our pensions," Philippe Dubois, a railway union member outside Brussels' Midi station, told Reuters news agency. "We want to make some noise." |
| However, many in Belgium appear to have accepted the need for austerity measures, with one opinion poll suggesting only 21% are in support the strike, according to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws last week. | However, many in Belgium appear to have accepted the need for austerity measures, with one opinion poll suggesting only 21% are in support the strike, according to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws last week. |