Global Support As Belgium Mourns Victims
Mr Michel lit a candle at the Place de la
Bourse as messages of condolence, outrage and love were written in chalk upon
the pavement.
Some stood in silence as armed police patrolled
the area, while others broke into a rendition of the John Lennon song Imagine.
It
comes as landmarks in Berlin, Rome and Paris were illuminated with the red,
yellow and black of the Belgian flag as a mark of respect for the victims.
The Eiffel Tower
was lit up on Tuesday evening as dusk fell.
"Paris and Brussels are united. The Eiffel
Tower has been lit up in the Belgian colours," Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo
wrote on Twitter.
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin was also
illuminated with Belgium's national colours, as was the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
The Belgian flag flew at half-mast above
Downing Street, while EU flags were lowered outside the European Commission in
Brussels.
Student
Laura Kartheuser, 20, was among the mourners gathered in Brussels.
She said:
"This is my city and this is my country. What's happened today is really
terrible.
"We've come here to support each other and
see what was written on the pavement. It's really touching.
"I don't know who thought to bring chalk
for people to write with, but it's lovely to see such kind words."
Global leaders have united to condemn the
attack, including President Barack Obama.
"We will do whatever is necessary to
support our friends in Belgium," he said.
"We stand in solidarity with them in
condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people.
"This
is yet another reminder that the world must unite, we must be together."
Prime Minister
David Cameron said: "We absolutely stand with them at this very difficult
time. These were attacks in Belgium.
"They could just as well be attacks in
Britain or France or Germany or elsewhere in Europe and we need to stand
together against these appalling terrorists and make sure they can never win.
"I have made sure that we have offered
every support to the Belgian security and policing and intelligence forces at
this time."
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