Belgium police fire tear gas at cost-of-living protests

Belgian police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Brussels and Liege during cost-of-living protests.

In Brussels, police used tear gas against youths in the Bourse district who threw bottles and other missiles, an AFP journalist saw. Police said about 10 arrests were made.

Several hundred people had gathered near the Belgian capital's central railway station after calls on social media. Authorities later authorised a march, but police said water cannon was used to disperse groups who threw fireworks and flammable liquids.

Rubbish bins and e-scooters were set on fire, and a Socialist Party office was vandalised during the disturbances.

Police also used water cannon to break up smaller groups of demonstrators in the eastern city of Liege, where there had also been clashes 10 days earlier.

High school students have staged protests in recent weeks against higher university registration fees. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin blamed Saturday's troubles on “organised violence”.