From AFP:  Belgian police have detained hundreds of anti-nuclear activists protesting in and outside a military base where nuclear weapons are believed to be stored, rally organisers say.

A spokesman for the protesters said 300 people demonstrated overnight near Kleine Brogel base not far from the Dutch border, while more than 800 protesters tried to storm the police-protected military area.  Police put the total number of demonstrators at around 700. …

The Kleine Brogel demonstration was part of Europe-wide protests putting pressure on governments in NATO countries about to revise the alliance’s strategic concept.

The stockpiling of nuclear warheads at the northern Belgian base has never been officially confirmed, but experts believe they are part of the B61 nuclear bombs stockpiled in five NATO countries – Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said in February his country wants a world free of nuclear weapons and is promoting this position inside NATO.  (photo: Getty)

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