Belgium remains on lockdown after 21 are arrested in hunt for Salah Abdeslam

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Ghost town Brussels: Schools shut, shops deserted and metro closed as Belgium remains on lockdown after 21 are arrested in hunt for world's most wanted - who is seen 'heading towards Germany in a BMW'
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Belgium's terror threat alert was raised to its highest level and troops were deployed to the capitals' streets
Anti-terror police and soldiers last night carried out raids, leading to 21 arrests at 19 properties in Brussels
Fears remain that Paris-style terror attack is 'imminent' in the city, resulting in the shutting of metro and schools
Authorities have stepped up hunt for Paris jihadi Salah Abdeslam, who is spotted 'heading to Germany in BMW'
For the latest on the Paris terrorists visit www.dailymail.co.uk/ParisAttacks

By Jay Akbar and Corey Charlton and Tom Wyke for MailOnline

Published: 08:19 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 09:31 EST, 23 November 2015

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Belgian police opened fire on the driver of a vehicle during raids targeting terror suspects across Brussels last night in which 21 people were arrested. The prosecutor's office said it was during a raid on a snack bar in Molenbeek that the man drove at police, who opened fire on his vehicle.

Authorities raided 19 properties in the coordinated police operation last night, arresting 21 people who are set to appear before a judge today. However, Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam was not among those arrested, and no weapons or explosives were found.

Abdeslam was said by Le Soir newspaper to have been identified fleeing in the direction of Germany in a BMW as he tries to avoid arrest.

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Belgium closed the metro system, museums, cinemas and shopping centres, and advised locals to avoid large crowds, while clubs and venues have cancelled events

Security officers stand guard outside Brussels's central station this morning amid terror attack fears

The Belgian Army have deployed soldiers to patrol outside EU headquarters in Brussels

The usually bustling entrance to the Delta station in Brussels epitomises the effect of the heightened security in the country's capital

A deserted playground at a closed primary school in Brussels following the announcement of a likely terror threat in Belgium

Wanted: Police have issued an international arrest warrant for 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, from Brussels, who is one of three brothers said to be involved in terror plot and rented their getaway car

Early reports from the area said residents were told to stay away from their windows, while others were escorted out of nearby restaurants.

Local media reported guests at the Radisson Blu hotel and Hotel Windsor Grande Place had been told to stay indoors, while soldiers were photographed at the buildings.

Police confirmed there was 'various operations' underway in Brussels due to a 'terrorist threat'. They also requested a 'radio silence' on social media of details of the operations.

Davide Patteri, an Italian living in Brussels, tweeted: 'Eating out, police just shut the whole street and now no-one can get out of the restaurant.

The heightened security presence in Brussels comes as police continue to hunt for terror cell suspects

Added security in the streets of Brussels have been coupled with the increase in the terror alert level in Belgium to 'severe'

The deserted escalators of Brussels main metro station epitomise the state of concern in the city since the Paris attacks on November 13

'Was just escorted out of a restaurant [on] rue du midi. Area shut - police op probably going on now.'

It comes as it was announced the city would be locked down for a third day today with the Prime Minister warning of an imminent attack taking place over several areas by terrorists armed with guns and explosives.

Charles Michel, the Prime Minister, said schools, universities and the underground system would have to remain closed today.

Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam is just one of several feared to be at large in the city, where the usually thronged streets have been eerily quiet after the country was moved to its highest level of security alert.

Belgium closed the metro system, museums, cinemas and shopping centres, and advised locals to avoid large crowds, while clubs and venues have cancelled events.

Abdeslam, who has been described as 'armed and dangerous', went on the run after taking part in the massacre of 130 in Paris on November 13.

His brother Mohamed, who was arrested following the attacks only to be released without charge, believes he backed out of the attack 'at the very last moment'.

Prosecutors later said 16 people were arrested in 19 raids targeting extremists in the Belgian capital

A Belgian soldier stands guard at a security perimeter set up in Brussels central square last night

Belgian police special forces take part in an operation in the suburb of Molenbeek, Brussels last night

A police cordon was erected amid the major police operation in central Brussels last night

Belgium's federal prosecutor spokesman Eric Van Der Sypt told a press conference 16 people were arrested

A member of the police special forces peers up at the buildings in Molenbeek raided by police last night

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to keep Brussels on lockdown was based on 'quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris'

TWITTER'S '#BRUSSELSLOCKDOWN' FLOODED WITH CAT PICTURES

As news of the police raids broke last night, authorities issued a plea to journalists and social media users to refrain from posting details of police movements.

This was due to concerns it could tip off suspects and jeopardise the police operation.

But not only did Twitter users stop tweeting details about the police raids, thousands of Belgians began posting images of cats in order to spam the #Brusselslockdown hashtag.

The tactic worked - the hashtag was inundated with pictures of cats that ultimately drowned out any details of the police operation.

Central Brussels, usually bustling on a Sunday evening, was virtually deserted, with police and troops on patrol.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to keep Brussels on lockdown was based on 'quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris'.

He said the fear was that 'several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack, perhaps even in several places'.

Mr Michel added: 'We urge the public not to give in to panic, to stay calm. We have taken the measures that are necessary.'

Belgium's crisis centre, a body that advises the government on security measures, said the terror alert would remain at four in Brussels and three in the rest of the country, which means a threat is 'possible'.

Belgium's Interior Minister Jan Jambon said armed officers on the streets were looking for 'several suspects' including Abdeslam.

'It involves several suspects and that is why we have put in place such exceptional measures,' the Belga news agency quoted Jambon as telling Flemish television.

Belgian soldiers patrol on Brussels' Grand Place after the city was put into lockdown on Saturday

Central Brussels, usually bustling on at a weekend, was virtually deserted, with police and troops on patrol

He added: 'We are following the situation minute by minute... There is a real threat but we are doing everything possible day and night to face up to this situation.'

He warned the capture of Abdeslam, the Belgian born terrorist who drove a three strong team of jihadis to four restaurants in Paris' Canal Saint Martin area, would not end the threat against his country.

Abdeslam is believed to have rented the two cars used by terrorists in the attacks. He then drove his brother Ibrahim and a French shooter to four restaurants in the Canal Saint Martin area of Paris where they murdered dozens of people.

Abdeslam's brother Mohamed today said he may have backed out of the Paris attacks but added: 'That is more than my hope, it is my conviction.

'He was a very intelligent man and I believe that at the very last moment he changed his mind and decided to take a different path.'

GREAT BRITAIN TENNIS TEAM DELAYS DEPARTURE TO BELGIUM FOR DAVIS CUP FINAL

The Great Britain tennis team have delayed their departure for next week's Davis Cup final in Belgium amid security concerns in Brussels.

The final is being held in the city of Ghent, 35 miles from Brussels, between November 27 and 29.

The Foreign Office has updated its guidance for travelling to Belgium, advising visitors not to go to places with large numbers of people.

More than 1,000 British fans are expected to support the team, which includes former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, as they take on Belgium in the sold out Flanders Expo centre.

The Great Britain tennis team (pictured) have delayed their departure for next week's Davis Cup final in Belgium amid security concerns in Brussels

More than 1,000 British fans are expected to support the team, which includes former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray (right) and his brother Jamie (left)

Any Murray said last week that he refuses to 'live in fear' of terrorism at the match up in Belgium next week.

But International Tennis Federation (ITF) president David Haggerty said he is 'greatly concerned' by the developments, and said safety remains the priority.

He added: 'We are aware that Belgium has raised the terror alert for Brussels. This greatly concerns us but, at the present time, we are still continuing with preparations.'

'I am totally convinced that my brothers were not radicalised but that they were manipulated,' he told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

He again urged Abdeslam to give himself up, saying: 'That way he can give us the answers we seek, our family and the families of the victims. 'We would rather see Salah in prison than in the cemetery.'

Belgian officials met in the capital city today to decide whether to extend the drastic security measures which has turned Brussels into a ghost town.

In nearby Paris, fears of a chemical attack have been raised after 12 protective suits used to guard against chemical products and viruses such as Ebola were stolen from the Paris Necker hospital complex.

More than 30 protective boots were also taken, along with gloves and masks. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls last week predicted a chemical attack on his country.

The UN Security Council on granted countries permission to 'take all necessary measures' to fight ISIS extremists after a wave of attacks including the downing of a Russian aircraft in Egypt and the storming of a luxury hotel in Mali.

US President Barack Obama today confirmed he would visit Paris for UN climate talks in December despite the raised threat of violence, calling on world leaders to show similar resolve.

Belgian Army soldiers and policemen patrol near Christmas stalls in the centre of Brussels amid reports of an 'imminent' attack

Belgium's prime minister said 'several individuals with arms and explosives could launch an attack, perhaps even in several places'

Threat: Police on the streets are tasked with finding on the run Paris terrorist Salah Abdeslam and keeping locals safe from any other possible attacks

He said: 'I think it's absolutely vital for every country, every leader, to send a signal that the viciousness of a handful of killers does not stop the world from doing vital business.

'In addition to hunting down terrorists, in addition to effective intelligence, in addition to missile strikes and in addition to cutting off financing and all the other things that we're doing, the most powerful tool we have to fight ISIL is to say that we're not afraid.'

Salah Abdeslam has been the subject of an international manhunt since the Paris attacks and 2,000 officers are said to have been assigned to find him.

His friends have said he was in the Brussels area and trying to escape to Syria.

It emerged that Abdeslam had been stopped by police on the France-Belgium border after the attack but they let him through after he showed them his ID.

He may be wearing a suicide belt, said Hamza Attou, one of two suspects charged by Belgian authorities for allegedly helping him return to the country after the killings.

The mastermind of the attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was killed in a massive police raid last Wednesday.

The mayor of one of Brussels' many municipalities, Schaerbeek, told Belgian media that the capital is still facing a grave threat, according to the prime minister.

Bernard Clerfayt said: 'There are two terrorists in the Brussels region that could commit very dangerous acts.'

He said it was necessary to try to anticipate and prevent any such acts and their consequences, adding: 'As long as this threat is present, we must be very attentive.'