The King of Belgium has thanked the people of Argyll and Bute for their kind messages of sympathy following the terrorist attacks that took place in Brussels last month.
The Provost of Argyll and Bute, councillor Len Scoullar, wrote a letter of condolence to King Philippe expressing sympathy on behalf of the people, staff and elected councillors of Argyll and Bute after terrorist attacks were carried out at Brussels airport and the city’s metro, killing 32 people.
In his letter of thanks, King Philipe wrote: “Heartfelt thanks to you all for your warm words of concern and support in these painful moments. Your words will offer strength and comfort to the families of the injured and deceased.”
King Philippe’s heartfelt thanks came as at least 7,000 people took to the streets of Brussels in a march against “terror and hate” on Sunday.
Heading the processions were some of those caught up in the suicide bomb attacks on March 22.
The attacks in Brussels were claimed by the Islamic State militant group, which also said it was behind the gun and bomb attacks in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people.
Belgian police have made dozens of arrests in recent weeks, but the authorities – and other security agencies in Europe – are under pressure amid revelations of alleged failures and missed opportunities to stop the terror cell that carried out both attacks.