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Police Disperse 'Yellow Vests' Protest in Brussels With Tear Gas, Water Cannons

The demonstrators in Belgium, dressed in the yellow jackets that have become a symbol of the protests in France, have gathered close to the district where the Belgian government and parliament are based.
Sputnik

The police have dispersed the riots that broke out in Belgium on Friday, using water cannons and tear gas.

Earlier in the day, reports stated that the groups of "yellow jacket" demonstrators, protesting against high taxes and living costs, have already disrupted traffic in Brussels.

"In connection with the rally of ‘yellow vests,’ the Rue de la Loi street (the small ring), tunnels Loi (toward the city centre) and Cinquantenaire (toward the centre) are closed to traffic," the police of central Brussels said.

The city transport authorities also notified drivers about the disrupted traffic in the centre of the Belgian capital in light of a "spontaneous demonstration."

READ MORE: Yellow Vests: No Coincidence Macron, Merkel and May are in Dire Straits — Journo

Local law enforcement is closely monitoring the situation, police water cannon trucks have been parked close to the site of the unrest. 

Prime Minister Charles Michel has responded to the incident by saying that he wanted to negotiate with the leaders of the protest movement.  

Roads have also been blocked near the city of Charleroi, 60 kilometres south of Brussels. 

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