Al-Qaeda jailbreak plot suspects freed

A judge released 14 suspected Islamic extremists Saturday for lack of evidence of their involvement in a plot to break free an al-Qaeda prisoner convicted of planning an attack on US air base personnel. Prosecutors said the investigation would continue and that heightened security measures imposed across the country after Friday's arrests would remain in place through the New Year.

"We think there is still a threat," said Lieve Pellens, spokeswoman for the Federal Prosecutor's office. The government had said it had information the suspects were plotting to use explosives and other weapons to free Nizar Trabelsi, a 37-year-old Tunisian serving 10 years for planning to a drive a car bomb into the cafeteria of a Belgian air base where about 100 American military personnel were stationed. (AP)