EU Plans Emergency Summit on Anti-Terrorism

European Union (EU) leaders are planning a special summit, possibly on Friday, to discuss coordinated efforts against terrorism after last week's terror attacks on the United States, EU sources said Monday in Brussels.

One source said Belgium, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, was trying to summon a meeting on Friday on coordinating the fight against terrorism.

"(Belgian Prime Minister Guy) Verhostadt considers it important to convene all heads of state and government for a meeting," the source said. "We are waiting for confirmations."

But a spokesman for the Belgian prime minister's office said he was unable to comment immediately.

EU foreign and transport ministers have already held emergency sessions to declare political solidarity with the United States and agreed to take extra security measures for public transport -- especially air travel -- and public buildings.

The 15-nation bloc's justice and home affairs ministers are due to discuss the first EU-wide plan to combat terrorism, including closer police cooperation and EU-wide arrest warrants, when they meet on Thursday, officials said.






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