Belgium frees Al Qaida plot suspects

Brussels: Belgium on Saturday released all 14 suspected Islamic militants who were held over what police said was a plot to free an Al Qaida suspect from jail.

But Interior Ministry officials said Friday's heightened security measures at the airport, rail stations and shopping centres would remain in place until the start of the New Year.

"They have all been released. But the measures will remain in force until January 2," said a spokesman for the Interior Ministry's crisis coordination centre.

Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said on Friday there were indications of a possible terrorist attack in preparation after police thwarted what they said was an attempt to free Al Qaida suspect Nizar Trabelsi from jail.

Trabelsi, a Tunisian, was arrested in September 2001 for plotting attacks on US targets in Belgium.