Greece beefs up security measures in wake of Brussels attacks

The Greek authorities decided to beef up security measures across the country in the wake of the deadly attacks in Brussels on Tuesday, Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassilis said.

As a precautionary measure, security measures will be strengthened in the airports, the Athens subway and all mass transport services, as well as around foreign embassies, in particular of European countries, Greek national news agency AMNA reported, citing public order ministry sources.

The Greek police has been put on alert and was in contact with Belgian and other European authorities, sources told Xinhua.

In addition, the counter-terrorism police department has stepped up surveillance of certain individuals who were considered as suspects with links to extremist groups, according to local "Vima" (Tribune) daily.

On Tuesday noon, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held an emergency meeting at his office with Defense Minister Panos Kammenos and other officials, Gerovassilis said during a regular press briefing.

The Greek prime minister also had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the refugee issue and the attacks in Brussels, Gerovassilis announced.

The government as well as opposition parties strongly condemned the attacks, expressing Greek people's solidarity with Belgian people.

"We express Greece's solidarity with Belgian people. Fear, religious hatred and racism must not defeat Europe," Tsipras said earlier on Tuesday in a statement posted on Twitter.

"Brussels, our Union's capital is under attack. We mourn the dead and pledge to conquer terror," the Greek Foreign Ministry also tweeted before issuing a press release.

"We express our profound grief at this heinous crime, our support for the people and the government of Belgium, and our deep condolences to the families of the victims. We wish the injured a speedy recovery," the statement read.

"This is an attack against all European people and Greece," main opposition New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

No Greek nationals were among the victims, according to the information gathered by the Greek authorities so far.

As a precaution measure, Greek airliner Aegean has cancelled all flights to Brussels until further notice. A flight which had already departed from Athens International airport on Tuesday morning with Brussels airport as its final destination , landed at Dusseldorf airport of Germany. Endit