Belgian police fire tear gas at protesters

Protesters react to tear gas during a demonstration in Brussels. (EPA Images pic) BRUSSELS: Belgian police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Brussels and Liege taking part in cost-of-living protests on Saturday, similar to violent rallies in neighbouring France.

High school students have staged protests in recent weeks against higher university registration fees but interior minister Bernard Quintin blamed the troubles on "organised violence".

Police in Brussels used tear gas against youths in the Bourse district who lobbed bottles and other missiles, an AFP journalist said. Police said about 10 arrests were made.

Following calls made on social media, several hundred people gathered near the Belgian capital's central railway station earlier.

A protest march was eventually authorised by authorities but water cannon was used to disperse groups who threw fireworks and flammable liquids, police said.

Rubbish bins and e-scooters were set on fire and a Socialist Party office vandalised during the disturbances.

Police also used water cannon to break up smaller groups of demonstrators in the eastern city of Liege where there had also been clashes 10 days earlier.