Protesters clash with police in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - ‌Several hundred ​mostly ​young people protested in Brussels on Saturday, with rioters clashing with police ‌in unrest partly inspired by demonstrations ⁠in neighbouring France.

Belgian student groups have said they are ‌protesting against rising education ‌costs and reforms they fear will make higher education less accessible.

Demonstrators gathered in central ​Brussels, many wearing masks and chanting anti-fascist slogans. Police used tear gas and ⁠water cannon, while some protesters overturned a car, according to ​a Reuters witness.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said in a post on X that "what ​is unfolding in Brussels ‌is no longer mere protest" and "all necessary means will be used to ⁠restore order in the face of the rioters".

A protest also took place in the eastern city ⁠of Liège, where students earlier this month demonstrated over the ​French-language education system, citing rising education costs and difficulties accessing study materials.

The unrest in France began last ‌month as protests over education funding and school conditions before broadening ‌into a wider movement centred on inequality, ⁠public spending and living ‌standards.

(Reporting by Yves ​Herman and Charlotte Van Campenhout. Writing by Lili Bayer. Editing by Mark ‌Potter)

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