Fireworks cancelled over terror threat

Traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks in the centre of Brussels have been cancelled due to a persistent terror threat to the Belgian capital, officials said today.

Belgian authorities have maintained a heightened state of alert, warning of an increased risk of attack over the holiday season after police detained 14 people last week suspected of a plot to break al-Qaida prisoner Nizar Trabelsi out of a Belgian jail.

A judge ordered their release 24 hours later due to a lack of evidence, and all 14 maintain their innocence.

In a letter published by the daily La Derniere Heure, Trabelsi denied allegations that his supporters were involved in preparations for a jailbreak or terror attack.