Brussels, Belgium’s capital has been placed on the highest terror, amid warnings of impeding serious attacks and similar threats.
Consequently, the city’s metro system will be closed until Sunday. Also, residents and visitors have been warned to avoid crowds, including shopping centres and concerts.
The warning, in a statement, however, remains at a lower level for other parts of the country.
The reason for the high terror alert in Brussels are obvious. The city was home to some of the suspected Paris attackers who killed 130 people last week. Reports indicate that one of those being sought, Salah Abdeslam, is believed to have gone back to Belgium.
This is as Turkish police say they have arrested a Belgian man of Moroccan descent on suspicion that he scouted out sites in Paris, Turkish news agencies report.
The BBC reports that the Belgian authorities have so far charged three people with involvement in the attacks, which Islamic State said it carried out.
They have also recommended that large events, including football matches, be cancelled.
Also on Friday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to “redouble” action against Islamic State following last week’s deadly attacks in the French capital in which 130 people died.
The French-drafted document urges UN members to “take all necessary measures” in the fight against IS, which said it carried out the attacks.
Hundreds of people were wounded in the near-simultaneous attacks on Paris bars and restaurants, a concert hall and sports stadium. The attacks were the worst in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings.
