According to sources, the National Security Council began at 11:00 AM on Thursday at 16, Rue de la Loi. Several members of the federal government gathered around Prime Minister Bart De Wever, including Defense Minister Theo Francken, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet. The top police and judicial authorities were also present, along with Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval.
The specific additional threat that prompted the meeting has not been disclosed. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin stated that Belgium has already strengthened the protection of embassies of countries involved in the conflict in the Middle East, as required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He cited the embassies of the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The security of other sensitive locations has also been strengthened, but Quintin did not specify which places are concerned. He said, 'I am not going to go into details,' adding, 'But it is important that we meet to have the opinion of the security services and that we can take any necessary measures. Situations like these obviously have repercussions on the whole world and therefore also in Belgium.
' The nature of these repercussions remains unclear. ' Quintin also expressed support for deploying soldiers in the streets, calling on coalition partner CD&V to separate this issue from prison overcrowding. He declared, 'The two protocols for Brussels and for Antwerp have been ready since mid-November,' and stated, 'I hope that everyone is aware that security issues are important for everyone.
' The current status of the soldier deployment is unknown.