National strike by Belgium's big unions hits public transport, airports and ships

Tens of thousands of people take to the streets in Brussels over government reforms and spending cuts.

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Belgium's three big unions are protesting over pensions and other measures by Prime Minister Bart de Wever's centre-right government aimed at cutting the budget deficit.

There were no services at Belgium's second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport.

Although trains were running, most buses, trams and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt.

Shipping at Europe's second biggest port Antwerp was suspended until Wednesday because of understaffing, and more than 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports, according to Belgium's MDK maritime and coastal services.