Belgium to limit scope of war crimes law

The US Government has indicated it will press for the transfer of Nato headquarters from Brussels unless the 10-year-old legislation is changed.

Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said late on Sunday he intended to modify the law so that either the defendant or the victim in a war crimes case must be a Belgian national or resident.

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Under the existing law, charges can be laid in a Belgian court against foreign nationals for alleged war crimes committed outside Belgian jurisdiction.

Papers were filed last week charging President Bush and Blair with war crimes in Iraq.

Similar action has been taken - though suspended - against the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, over the killing of Palestinians while he commanded Israeli forces in Lebanon in 1982.

An initial agreement to pass the amendment was reached on Saturday by the Liberal and Socialist parties, which are expected to form a ruling coalition following elections in May.