Belgian government examining helicopters being held

The Belgian government is examining and getting information concerning the importation of four helicopters currently being held at Ostend airport, a press officer at the Belgian foreign ministry, Koen Vervaeke, told IRIN on Tuesday. "The whole issue is to know whether they are civilian or military," he said. "If they are military, we will not issue a transit licence because there is an embargo on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)." The planes are from Britain and are being airlifted through Ostend destined for DRC. The Belgian newspaper 'De Standaard' reported last week that the four helicopters had remained in the hands of Belgian custom officials in Ostend since 26 May.