Netherlands, Belgium remain vigilant on possible terror attacks

The Netherlands and Belgium on Friday remained vigilant on possible terrorist attacks after an ultimatum from al-Qaeda expired on Thursday.

The Netherlands are taking extra security measures due to a warning of a possible terrorist attack, Radio Netherlands reported.

A letter, allegedly from al-Qaeda, suggests that European organizations in The Hague and Brussels are potential targets for terror attacks, some Dutch media reported on Friday.

The threatening letter was sent to the UN headquarters in New York this week, Dutch Interior Minister Johan Remkes confirmed.

In Brussels, fighter planes have been soaring in low sky for the whole Friday afternoon. However, there is no report about issuing public terror alert by the Belgian government.

Al-Qaeda had offered European countries, including the Netherlands, a three-month cease fire to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, Iraq and other Islamic countries.

Osama bin Laden's terror network set a deadline of July 15 for the troops to withdraw and warned of renewed attacks if their demands were not met.

The Netherlands has 1,300 marines in Iraq and has supplied soldiers to the multinational force in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua