Police operation underway in Belgium due to bomb alert

Police in Brussels have surrounded a man behaving suspiciously and wearing "a long coat with protruding wires”, according to international reports.

According to reports, a police operation, involving members of the bomb squad, is underway near Place de la Monnaie in the centre of Brussels, with many shops in the area evacuated and several streets closed.

The BBC reports that police say that they have the suspect "under control" but they have not yet arrested him.

The country is currently gearing up to celebrate Belgium's National Day tomorrow, with heightened security in Brussels for the festivities.