European capitals tighten security ahead of New Year celebrations
Extra security measures will be in place across several European capitals in the wake of reports of potential terror attacks and two arrests in Ankara, linked to an alleged plot to attack during the celebrations
Security is being stepped up in major European cities ahead of New Year celebrations, with officials wary of possible terror plots.
New Year fireworks and festivities have been cancelled in the Belgian capital Brussels because of an alert.
Extra measures will also be in place in cities including Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow.
Earlier this week, Austrian police claimed a "friendly intelligence service" had tipped them off that major European capitals were at risk of being attacked over the holiday period.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the Brussels decision had been taken "given information we have received".
Last year 100,000 people turned out in Brussels to welcome in the New Year.
Earlier in the week, police arrested two people suspected of planning attacks during the festive season and seized propaganda for so-called Islamic State (IS) as well as military clothing and computer equipment.
Belgium has been on high alert since the terror attacks of 13 November in Paris. Several of the perpetrators are thought to have been based in Belgium.
Meanwhile in Turkey, security services say they have thwarted a major plot to attack celebrations in Ankara.
On Wednesday, Turkish police arrested two suspected IS members over an alleged plot to attack celebrations in Ankara.
They reportedly entered Turkey from Syria and were planning two separate attacks on crowded areas, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
Suicide vests and explosives were found during police raids.
In Paris a New Year fireworks display has been abandoned, but the traditional gathering on the Champs-Elysees will take place amid tight security.
Projections on the Arc de Triomphe will be shorter than normal, four giant screens will be placed at intervals to avoid creating tightly packed crowds and the fireworks display has been cancelled.
