Paris attacks: 21 arrests in Belgium - live updates

Summary

Brussels enters third day of lockdown on highest level of alert
Jets from a French aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean have begun missions against Islamic State
Belgian police arrest 21 people in raids after Paris attacks
Suspected Paris gunman Salah Abdeslam still at large
UK Prime Minister David Cameron visits Bataclan concert hall with President Hollande
All times GMT

Live Reporting

Jastinder Khera and Claudia Allen

Why Belgium?published at 15:25
The emergence of violent jihadism in Belgium is certainly troubling - but the factors behind it are complex, and not entirely confined to Belgium, says Bart Cammaerts, of the London School of Economics' Europp blog, external.
Quote Message
Ultimately, while attention is now on Belgium and its failures in dealing with the creeping radicalisation of some of its young Muslim citizens, the reasons for this radicalisation are relevant to many other European countries and cannot be reduced to any one factor alone. Above all, European countries must show the courage to reflect internally on how they treat their own Muslim citizens in their educational systems, their job and housing markets, and in everyday life.
Warplanes launch from French carrierpublished at 14:47
French warplanes have launched their first mission over Syria and Iraq from the aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. The ship in the eastern Mediterranean carries enough planes to more than double France's ability to strike the Islamic State group.
President Hollande has promised to intensify operations against the militants in response to the Paris attacks.
French aircraft have been flying missions over Syria from bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates since September.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
French navy soldiers prepare a Rafale fighter jet for take-off
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
A Rafale fighter aircraft takes off with bombs
Bombs or bullets?published at 14:47
Many public spaces in Western cities have been redesigned to reduce the risk and possible impact of bombs. But some of these measures have also made it harder to take cover during a gun attack, according to the New Statesman's City Metric blog, external.
Quote Message
While aiding the early detection of suspicious items and behaviour, there’s a nasty rub. In a different attack context, these same carefully crafted, uncluttered and open spaces can increase vulnerability. Passengers who are unable to flee the immediate vicinity, for example, find themselves sitting ducks with nowhere to hide from determined gunman bent on killing as many people as possible before the cavalry arrives.
'Dark atmosphere'published at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2015
The BBC's Gavin Lee speaks to tourists in Brussels:
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Paris attacks impact French economypublished at 14:13
Signs that the attacks in Paris have impacted France's service sector have emerged in the latest survey by Markit.
The firm said a rapid fall-off in trade was behind its index falling, external from 52.7 in October to 51.3 in November.
"We think the key reason for the slowing in services growth is due to the attacks," Chris Williamson, Markit's chief economist said.
"But history does tell us that these events tend to have a very short-lived impact," added Mr Williamson.Read the full report.
Image source, Getty Images
Life under the Brussels lockdownpublished at 14:11
How is the lockdown affecting those living in Brussels?
Schools - Schools and universities in Brussels remained closed on Monday.
Transport - Transport authorities in Brussels suspended the city's Metro underground transport system, external and some bus routes.
Passengers faced tightened security checks for Thalys and TGV high-speed trains from Brussels Gare du Midi train station.
Work places - Many offices have remained open for a normal working day, but some have advised employees to stay at home.
Tourism - Twitter users reported on Monday that the city's main tourist attractions, such as the Grand Place central square, were unusually quiet.
The Brussels airport is open and all flights are running as normal, but there are increased security measures in place. Read more here.
Image source, AFP/Getty
Image caption,
Brussels is on its third day of lockdown
Is it really a 'lockdown'?published at 13:26
BBC's Wietske Burema tweets:
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2
France to restrict bank cards 'used for attacks'published at 13:14
BBC Monitoring
The French finance minister, Michel Sapin, has announced a series of initiatives to improve the tracking of terrorism financing, Le Monde newspaper reports, external.
The measures include better supervision of prepaid bank cards, which the ministry believes played an important role in the preparation of the 13 November attacks.
The new measures will make it harder for card users to remain anonymous. Currently, prepaid cards can be recharged without identity checks, so long as they do not exceed 2,500 euros over one year, according to the AFP news agency.
"There are new means of payment which have been created which should be on our radar," Bruno Dalles, head of the finance ministry's Tracfin intelligence unit, told AFP.
Police thanks #BrusselsLockdown catspublished at 12:59
During Sunday night's operations in Brussels, Belgians helped police to drown out any leaking of operational details on Twitter.
Using the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown, which was earlier used to tweet updates on the operation, Twitter users posted pictures and videos of cats.
Now federal police has thanked them with a tweet: "To all the cats who helped us last night: help yourselves! #BrusselsLockdown"Read the full story here
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
France steps up security in schoolspublished at 12:57
France has stepped up security in schools as it continues to enforce its anti-terrorism system, Vigipirate.
Measures include bag checks, a ban on school trips, and mandatory fire and evacuation drills.
Special "smoking areas" are also being introduced within schools to prevent students from leaving the premises.
Read more here.
Image source, Ministry of Education
Image caption,
Students have been told to report any suspicious behaviour
'Suspect BMW' not linked to Abdeslampublished at 12:52
The Belgian prosecutor's statement mentions that a BMW that evaded a police check on Sunday night has since been traced - and is not linked to the counter-terror operation.
Reports of the BMW's escape prompted speculation that Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam had fled Belgium for Germany. The vehicle sped away from police in the Liege region, which borders Germany.
Davis Cup final 'to go ahead'published at 12:31
The Davis Cup final between Belgium and Great Britain will go ahead despite the terror threats affecting Brussels, according to the Flemish Tennis Federation.
The final is due to start in Ghent on Friday, 55km (35 miles) away from the Belgian capital, which is currently under the country's highest security alert.
"It's definitely going ahead," a spokeswoman for the Flemish Tennis Federation told the Reuters news agency.
She added that the public would be advised on Tuesday about security measures for the final, which will be played from Friday to Sunday.
Prosecutor: Five more arrestspublished at 12:12
Breaking
A further five people have been arrested in Belgium, a spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor said.
A total of 21 people have now been arrested in counter-terror operations since Sunday.
The latest statement from the prosecutor said a further five houses had been searched in the Brussels region, and two in the Liege area.
A sum of €26,000 (£18,300;$27,600) was reportedly seized during one of the searches.
Sharia4Belgium leader isolated in prisonpublished at 11:53
Fouad Belkacem,ringleader of the Sharia4Belgium group, will not be allowed any contact with fellow prisoners in Antwerp, the Gazet van Antwerpen, external reported.Prison authorities fear that Belkacem could radicalise other prisoners amid heightened tensions in the prison after the attacks in Paris.
Following the attacks, special safety measures for guarding Belkacem were put in place.
"He is not allowed to go to worship and he may not go walking or relaxing," a member of Belkacem's council advocate Nabil Riffi told Gazet van Antwerpen
Belkacem was sentenced to 12 years in prison in February, along with 45 other members of the Sharia4Belgium group.
The judge said he was "responsible for the radicalisation of young men to prepare them for Salafist combat, which has at its core no place for democratic values"..
Image source, AFP
Passports are backpublished at 11:37
ITN Channel 4 News' Stuart Webb tweets
Prosecutor statement coming uppublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 November 2015
BBC's Piers Scholfield tweets
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Atomium still shutpublished at 11:15
Brussels tourist attraction, the Atomium, has announced that its doors will remain closed today, dashing hopes that it may open to visitors.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Warship joining battlepublished at 11:06
BBC Monitoring
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the flagship aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, which is already in the waters off the Syrian coast, should be ready to take part in strikes against the IS group, France's Europe 1 radio reports.
France hopes the involvement of the warship will shorten the time it takes for French jets to carry out air strikes. The aircraft carrier can hold up to 40 aircraft and support 100 flights a day. It has already served as a base for French jets in the Gulf which took part in strikes against IS earlier this year.
Image source, AFP
Station on alertpublished at 10:37
BBC's Gavin Lee tweets
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Nato 'external visits cancelled'published at 10:24
Nato says its headquarters in Brussels are open, but some staff have been asked to work from home and external visits have been cancelled, the Reuters news agency reports.
The alliance raised its alert level after the Paris attacks of 13 November.
EU institutions are also open with soldiers patrolling outside, Reuters reports.
Image source, Getty Images