Belgian PM says national day celebrations to go as planned

Belgium's celebrations for the national day, July 21, will go as planned next week in light of the deadly attacks in the Nice, France, but with reinforced security measures, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said Friday.

Addressing a press conference, Michel said there was no information of imminent threat in Belgium in the next few days, thus the security threat level will remain at three.

However, he announced there would be concrete steps to strengthen security around the national day, which falls on July 21.

The prime minister said authorities had already taken into account all modus opendi of terrorist acts that could happen on the national day celebrations.

The prime minister reaffirmed Belgium's determination to fight against these terrorist acts.

"On behalf the Belgian government and citizens, we extend our condolences, our support, our encouragement... We strongly condemn this cowardly act which sows death, hatred and anguish," he said.

"We reiterate our determination to demonstrate that Democrats are stronger than the terrorists and that our values must be defended. Zero risk does not exist, but the determination to fight both for safety and for values that unite us: respect, tolerance, openness, is present," Michel stressed.

He also pledged to reinforce this fight both within its borders and outside.

"We stand in solidarity with our allies both in Europe and abroad mainly through our participation in the international coalition but also in the sharing of information between the various national services," he said.

At least 84 people including many children were killed and more than 100 injured in the Nice attack Thursday night. There has been no confirmed Belgian victims yet. Endit