Hostage taking crisis continues in Brussels

An armed psychotic man held two women, including his ex-girlfriend, hostage in a Brussels downtown apartment Thursday, continuing a standoff with police that began more than 24 hours earlier.

Police deployed snipers and cordoned off the area around the Brussels central railway station, causing rush hour traffic problems.

The hostage-taking began Wednesday around 1900 (1700GMT) in an apartment above the bar where one of the women, the ex-girlfriend, works, police said.

Two young children were also taken hostage, but released a few hours later.

Belgian media said the man was armed with a hand grenade and a handgun. Police reported one officer was slightly injured, The AP reported.