BRUSSELS, Dec 11: Police detained 14 suspected Al Qaeda-linked extremists on Thursday in raids in Brussels and eastern Belgium, including one militant who allegedly was plotting a suicide attack.

The terror sweep came only hours before a European Union summit brought together the heads of 27 countries in Brussels, though the site of the purported attack was unclear. Nearly 250 police officers raided 16 locations in the capital and one in the eastern city of Liege overnight, confiscating computers, data storage equipment and a pistol.

“There was no other choice than to intervene today,” federal prosecutor Johan Delmulle told reporters. He said one suspect had recorded what looked like a martyrdom video, including a farewell message.

“It is clear that we have to take the terror threat seriously,” Prime Minister Yves Leterme said as he entered the EU summit building.

Helicopters flew overhead and police guarded dozens of motorcades travelling to the summit cordon.

Delmulle said it was unclear where the attack had been planned to take place. The suspects had travelled to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and it was possible the suicide bombing might have been drawn up there.

Thursday’s raids were linked to a similar pre-Christmas sweep last year and Delmulle said the investigation showed at the time “a group of people were in Brussels with the task of committing an attack.”—AP