Europe high on alert to possible terrorist risks
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E-mail Xinhua, November 22, 2015
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Belgian soldiers patrol in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Nov. 21, 2015. The terror threat level in the Brussels region was increased to "maximum" on Saturday because authorities received information on the risk of an attack "similar to Paris," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told a press conference. [Xinhua] |
Just one week after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, the Brussels region, which houses the headquarters of the European Union (EU), raised Saturday the terror threat level to "maximum."
All possible measures in Belgium to minimize terror risk
The raising of terror threat level in the Brussels region was because authorities received information on the risk of an attack "similar to Paris," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told a press conference.
He said the potential targets were "shopping centers, public transport and big events."
Michel told reporters that the Brussels subway network would remain closed until at least Sunday afternoon, when a new evaluation of the threat would be made.
According to the Belgian government, enhanced controls were set up at the French border, as well as in railway stations and airports. And local police in Belgium were immediately instructed to increase vigilance and to strengthen surveillance for public events.
Moreover, Belgian authorities had issued a recommendation not to travel to Paris.
According to Michel, military presence has also been bolstered.
And 400 million euros (US$426 million) were being made available for the fight against terrorism in Belgium. An amendment to the budget for 2016 will be submitted in the coming week.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders told Xinhua in an interview that Belgium was taking all possible measures to minimize the risks of being a target of terrorist attacks.
"Following recent terrorist attacks in Paris, the Belgian restricted cabinet has agreed to put in place additional important actions to tackle the terrorist threat, while respecting citizens' fundamental rights," said Reynders.
Nine people were arrested in a series of police raids in Brussels on Thursday in connection with last week's Paris terror attacks.
On Thursday, the French National Assembly gave the government the green light to prolong the state of emergency in the country to three months to face the terror threats. The Senate voted Friday evening in favor of the bill.
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