Qatar condemns Brussels explosions

The State of Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the explosions that occurred on Tuesday morning at Brussels airport and a metro station, killing and wounding a number of people.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said the State of Qatar strongly condemns the criminal bombing, which contradicts with all human values and principles, and aims to terrorise the unsuspecting innocents and destabilise international peace and security.

The statement stressed Qatar's full solidarity with the friendly Kingdom of Belgium in the face of all forms of violence and terrorism whatever the motives and causes were.

The statement also expressed Qatar's sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes of speedy recovery for the injured.

PM Michel says attacks are 'black day' for Belgium

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said that the "blind, violent and cowardly" attacks on Brussels airport and the metro system were a "black day" for the country and had left many dead.

"This is a day of tragedy, a black day," Michel said on national television, with the death toll put at 26 so far and expected to rise further.

"Two attacks took place this morning in Zaventam airport and Maalbeek metro station, blind, violent, cowardly attacks," Michel said.

"There are many dead and many wounded, some of them seriously," he said.

Federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw, sitting alongside Michel, said that of the two blasts at the airport "one was probably caused by a suicide bomber."