No reason to raise terror threat level

André Vandoren was speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme De ochtend.

"We are already at level 2 on a scale of 4, which means that extra vigilance is demanded. There are also extra agents in the field”

"Based on the situation in the field and the events as they unfold we determine the level of terrorist threat and modify it if necessary. However, for the moment at least there is no question of us doing this. Mr Vandoren added that for the time being Belgians shouldn’t be “particularly fearful”.

André Vandoren confirmed that Belgian jihadi that are about to leave for or have returned from Syria or Iraq receive particular attention from the security services.

"Regular checks are made at the airports. Just a few days ago a number of returning jihadi were caught".

Belgian participation

The recent events in Iraq and Syria and the beheading of a French tourist in Algeria on Wednesday are “threats that we should take into account. Then Interior Minister and the government are concerned about the issue.”

The fact that Belgium has joined other western countries in the operation against IS forces in Iraq means that Mr Vandoren is assessing the situation “in real-time”.

He added that any decision to reassess the terrorist threat level would be made on the basis of information receive from in the field.

The outgoing Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo (Francophone socialist) recently called on Belgians not to be led by fear.

André Vandoren seems to support this view "At the moment there are no elements that should instil any particular fear in our country."

Flandersnews.be / Expatica