Knife-wielding man arrested in front of prime minister’s official residence in Brussels

A man wielding a knife was arrested in Brussels on Monday morning in front of the official residence of the prime minister, reports RTBF.

The individual tried to enter the residence at 16 Rue de la Loi before being stopped by military police, according to outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo’s communications director Barend Leyts.

"A man armed with a knife was overpowered by the military police. The man was transferred to the police station. The military police were not injured in the incident," he said.

The outgoing prime minister was said to be "shocked by the incident".

Police were called to the scene as reinforcements, they confirmed to Belga news agency. "The man was reportedly armed with a knife and made threats against the military personnel present. They subdued the individual while waiting for the police to arrive, who are continuing their investigation. His motives are unclear at this time," said a police spokesperson.

At the time of the incidence, journalists were standing in front of 10 Rue de la Loi, the offices of the presidency of the House of Representatives where negotiations for the formation of a federal government were taking place. They were confined inside the building as a security measure before being allowed to leave some 10 minutes later.

The prime minister added via his communications director: "We would like to expressly thank the military police officers. We are following the situation closely with the police. We are relieved that the incident did not cause any injuries."

Photo: Belga ©Nicolas Maeterlinck