Gradual deployment of up to 300 troops to begin on Saturday morning

The Prime Minister has announced that up to 300 troops will be deployed gradually, starting on Saturday 17 January 2015.

After the threat level was raised from 2 to 3, the Prime Minister called a meeting of the Inner Cabinet at 9.00 p.m. on Friday with a view to temporarily mobilising the military so as to boost vigilance and security.

Following proposals by the Interior Affairs and Defence Ministers and based on analysis by the security services, the Inner Cabinet decided to gradually deploy up to 300 troops.

The soldiers will be stationed in Brussels and Antwerp and may also be sent to Verviers and other places.

They will be armed, and their primary duty will be to keep watch over certain key sites. As such, they will be backing up the police.

This measure will be evaluated on a regular basis by the relevant authorities.

The Federal Government lauds the professionalism of Belgium’s security and police services and praises the armed forces’ commitment to protecting our fellow citizens.