Belgians urged not to rally due to security fears

Belgians have been urged not to rally on Sunday as police officers are currently concentrating their efforts on the investigations into Tuesday’s attacks.

The ‘March against Fear’ was organised in solidarity with the victims of the Brussels airport and metro attack. The rally was meant to show that Brussels and the rest of the country refused to be intimidated by terrorism and that everyone stood together.

But interior minister Jan Jambon, who did not order the citizens not to rally, explained that it would be better if the rally were to be postponed. He cited security fears as the country remains on high alert.

Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur said he recognised and shared the feelings of those who wanted to participate but given the absolute need for the police to concentrate on their investigations, it was best to delay the march.

"Let us allow the security services to do their work and that the march, which we too want to take part in, be delayed for several weeks," Mayeur told a press conference with Jambon at the national crisis centre.

"This week, we, Belgian citizens have been attacked, in how we live, our customs, our rights, our liberty," the organisers of the rally said in a statement.

"The first reaction in such events is to withdraw but on reflection, fear must give way to hope and the defence of our values."

The march was due to begin at 2pm at the central Place de La Bourse which, carpeted with flowers and tributes, has turned into a shrine to the victims.