Liège shootout recognised as act of terrorism

A shooting in Liège on 29 May in which three people were killed - two of whom were police officers - has been officially recognised as an act of terrorism.

Belgium's Council of Ministers approved a decree on Friday, which means the victims' families and those injured in the attack will receive state assistance and financial support.

The gunman, Benjamin Herman, killed two women police officers, Lucile Garcia and Soraya Belkacemi, and 22-year-old student Cyril Vangriecken in a shootout in the city centre.

After taking a woman hostage – who he released after she said she was a Muslim - Herman was shot dead by a Liège police special unit. He had been on temporary release from prison.

Several officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.