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Plan to boost public transport safety
The federal government is planning legislation allowing security officers to detain violent passengers until police arrive They will be granted greater powers to use capsicum spray and handcuffs on public transport to improve safety. However, Interior Minister Patrick Dewael stressed police will remain in control of safety and that public transport officers will be used to prevent conflicts.
Belgian PM departs for US visit
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was scheduled to depart on Monday for a five-day working visit to the US. He will meet business leaders and US President George W Bush in the White House on Tuesday. Verhofstadt hopes to attract new investors to Belgium.
Belgians killed in Mecca crowd
Two Belgians were among the 363 people killed in a crush of people near Mecca. The Belgian Foreign Ministry said an Antwerp woman of Moroccan ancestry and a Brussels man of Pakistani ancestry were killed.
[Copyright Expatica News 2006]
Subject: Belgian news