Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Lizzie Dearden

Paris attacks live: David Cameron and Francois Hollande discuss strategy against Isis as Brussels remains on lockdown - latest updates

David Cameron is meeting Francois Hollande in Paris this morning to discuss co-operation in the international fight against Isis as he prepares new proposals to widen the UK's intervention into Syria. Here are the latest updates:

 

 

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

Brussels remains on lockdown today as the hunt for Paris attacks fugitive Salah Abdeslam continues.

He was not among the 16 people arrested in 22 raids in the Belgian capital yesterday and authorities maintained their highest terror alert in the cityfor a third straight day. 

“We have to stress that no firearms or explosives were discovered ... during the raids,” federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt said. "Certain elements in the investigation made Sunday's intervention necessary. The investigation will in any case be relentlessly continued."

One of those detained was injured when a car he was in tried to ram police during an attempted getaway, he added. 

Hundreds of troops have been on patrol as part of efforts to prevent a possible Paris style attack.

Citing a “serious and imminent” threat, Prime Minister Charles Michel announced that schools and universities in Brussels will be closed today, with the underground remaining shut.

“We fear an attack like in Paris, with several individuals, perhaps in several places,” Mr Michel said after chairing a meeting of Belgium's National Security Council. 

While Brussels was kept on the highest of four alert levels, the rest of the country remains on a Level 3 alert, meaning an attack is “possible and likely.” 

Several Isis militants involved in the Paris attackes had lived in Brussels, including Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the supposed "mastermind" who was killed Wednesday in a police raid.

Abdeslam is known to have crossed into Belgium on 14 November after his brother, Brahim, blew himself up during the massacres. Their other brother, Mohamed Abdeslam, went on Belgian television and urged him to surrender, saying he would rather see him “in prison than in a cemetery.” 

Additional reporting by agencies

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.