Belgium arrests 12 people who they planning the attack in Belgium-Ireland Match

Police in Belgium have made 12 arrests in a huge anti-terrorism operation, nearly three months after the deadly bomb attacks on Brussels.

Those detained overnight are suspected of plotting a terrorist attack, prosecutors say. They were among 40 taken in for questioning.

Searches were conducted in 16 municipalities, mainly around Brussels, with checks on 152 lock-up garages.

PM Charles Michel said security would be stepped up at public events.

He tweeted (in French) after a meeting of the Belgian security council to say events would go ahead as planned.

According to a report by public broadcaster RTBF(in French), terrorism suspects were seen driving on Friday near a fan zone in central Brussels, where Saturday's Euro 2016 match between Belgium and the Republic of Ireland is due to be relayed from France by giant screen.

On 22 March, bombs killed 32 people at a Brussels airport and a metro station.

No arms or explosives were found during the searches, which passed off without incident, Belgium's federal prosecutor said in a statement.

Among the areas where searches took place was Molenbeek, a Brussels district which has become notorious because of its associations with jihadists.

The federal prosecutor said the operation had been launched after investigations which "necessitated an immediate intervention".

However, the Belgian government has not raised the threat level.