Spain to evaluate threats following Brussels attacks

Although no Spaniards are thought to be among the victims of the deadly Brussels attacks on Tuesday morning, acting interior minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz announced there would be a meeting to evaluate threats Tuesday evening in Spain.

Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy assured that any decisions taken at the meeting "would not be political, but based on the information of Spanish security services."

Spain has been on a level four terrorist alert (on a scale of 1 to 5) since the Paris attacks of November last year and that level could be raised to the maximum level at the meeting.

The meeting on Tuesday evening will be followed by a meeting of the "Anti-Jihad pact" which will be attended by the leaders of Spain's main political parties.

"We will continue to combat terrorism with courage, unity and solidarity between nations," said Rajoy.

"Spain should maintain united in the fight against terrorism and not criticize measures such as the closure of frontiers," he added.

Rajoy and Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez held a five-minute phone conversation about the attack on Tuesday morning, with Sanchez cancelling a planned meeting in Tenerife and returning to Madrid.

"We are all Brussels today," said Sanchez, who added "freedom has to prevail in the face of terror."

"Today is a day we have to mourn for the vile attacks which have been carried out in Brussels, show solidarity and to send a heartfelt embrace to the victims, the injured and the families of the victims," commented the Socialist leader.

Albert Rivera, the leader of the center-right Citizens party tweeted: "Europe is a common project of freedom and should have a common project against the terrorist threat."

Speaking from the Madrid town hall, where a minute's silence was held for the victims, Pablo Iglesias, from the left-wing Podemos party, expressed his solidarity and highlighted the need for unity to combat terrorism.

Meanwhile, Spain's state prosecutor also got into contact with his Belgian counterparts to offer Spain's help with investigations.

Spain and Belgian form part of a four-way agreement with France and Morocco which allows direct contact to be made between them when circumstances demand. Endit