Key Brussels buildings emptied

The European Parliament and NATO headquarters in Brussels were evacuated following yesterday's attacks in the United States, as EU foreign ministers prepared to hold an emergency meeting today.

EU leaders reacted with shock and outrage to the events, which the External Affairs Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten, described as the worst attack on the US since Pearl Harbour. "This is one of those few days in life that one can actually say will change everything. It's certainly going to mean that the fight against international terrorism is going to dominate the international agenda until it's won," he said.

The Belgian Prime Minister, Mr Guy Verhofstadt, and the Foreign Minister, Mr Louis Michel, representing the EU presidency, expressed deep shock and dismay at the attacks.

"On behalf of the European Union, they condemn in the strongest possible terms this type of cowardly attack on innocent civilians," they said in a statement.

Mr Michel called an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers this morning to discuss the attacks. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, was preparing last night to return to Brussels from the Middle East to attend the meeting.

The Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, conveyed his sympathy to President Bush and the American people over the loss of life.

"Europeans stand together with the US and all peace-loving peoples of the world in condemning and resisting terrorism in the strongest possible terms," he said.

Commission officials remained at their desks yesterday afternoon, but the European Parliament and NATO headquarters were evacuated.

The Israeli embassy, the International School in Brussels and a wide area around the US embassy were also evacuated as a security precaution.

NATO's Secretary General, Lord Robertson, said he condemned the attacks in the strongest possible terms.

"These barbaric acts constitute intolerable aggression against democracy and underline the need for the international community and the members of the Alliance to unite their forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism," he said.