BRUSSELS – Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said on Thursday that he was shocked at the news of the discovery of Annick’s body.

“The prime minister is shocked and astonished at the grisly discovery of the canal in Lummen. He would first and foremost like to offer his condolences to the family and friends of Annick Van Uytsel. He is urging police to continue their detective work in full force until this cowardly murder has been solved,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said in an initial reaction.

Child Focus also conveyed its condolences to the family and many volunteers that have been looking for Annick over the past days and pledged its support to the residents of Dienst and environs, who have shown such solidarity since the first news of the disappearance.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news