Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 21, 2007

Security Tight in Belgium After Jail Break Plot for al-Qaida Member
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AA9AAB:A6F02AD83191E1603E362BC3AA404C0A0531BB26A5003E7B& Belgian officials
say security stepped up after arrest of 14 suspects planning to free
Nizar Trabelsi from jail





Belgian Police officers stand guard on the Grand'Place in Brussels
following the arrest of 14 suspected Islamic militants, 21 Dec.
2007Belgian officials have tightened security in the country after the
arrest of 14 suspects accused of planning to free an imprisoned member
of al-Qaida.

The suspects were detained early Friday in a police raid.  Officials
say they planned to break Nizar Trabelsi out of prison using weapons
and explosives.

Authorities say they are not aware of any other actions the group had
planned.

But they say they are taking precautions during the busy holiday
season and have tightened security on the metro, railway stations,
airports and shopping districts. 

The extra security measures will remain in place at least until after
New Year's Day.

The U.S. embassy today issued a warning to American citizens of a
heightened risk of terrorist attack in Brussels.

Trabelsi is serving a 10-year prison term, for planning to attack a
military base in Belgium where U.S. soldiers are stationed.  He was
arrested in September 2001.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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