site.btaUPDATED Man Armed with Knife Tries to Break into Belgian Government Building

Belgian police have detained a man armed with a knife who tried to break into the Belgian federal government building in Brussels, local media reported. The attacker was radicalized and had earlier been placed under psychiatric care.

He is reported to have shouted "Allah is great" and claimed that there was a plot against him when he was arrested. It is stated that a psychiatric monitoring measure was taken against him some time ago after he made threats against the US embassy. 

It is not yet known what the actual motives were for his attempt to break into the government complex. Television footage from the scene shows that the detained is a man in his 30s, with dark hair and a long beard.

Negotiations on the formation of a new government, involving prominent political figures were taking place in the building. The area was cordoned off by police, reports said.

A government spokesperson said the man had been taken for questioning and no law enforcement officers were injured. Outgoing Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said he was safe but shaken by the incident.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Bart de Wever is expected to be received again by King Philippe and given another extension to present the outcome of the negotiations. Media reports suggest that the coalition talks, which began after the elections in June last year, could be successfully concluded by the end of January.