belgium raises its terror thrift level after two people are killed in a police raid. ♪ ♪ >> hello, you are watching al jazerra live from doha. i am marian, also coming up, u.s. secretary of state john kerry arrives in pair toys pay his respects to the victims of last week's attacks. as the fighting continues in libya, there are reports of progress in u.n. brokered talks between rival factions and pope francis calls on lead nurse the philippine to his reject corruption and end social

injustice. ♪ ♪ police in belgium have killed two people in an anti-terror operation it's believed the suspects have links to armed groups in syria and were planning a large-scale attack. the prime minister raised the terror threat to its second high left level. a third person was arrested during the operation 120 miles east of brussels. a police operation was underway to search the homes of 10 people who had returned from syria. that's when the suspects opened fire at the police. neave barker reports. >> reporter: belgium authorities say they have prevented an attack on what they called a grand scale. as shots ring out in the city, and flames engulf the ground floor of this building, you can clearly hear glass smashing. federal police storming a bakery. covered by snipers on

surrounding roof tops. the police had been searching homes of around 10 people, they say they had recently come back from syria. >> during the investigation we found that this group was about to commit terrorist attacks in belgium. during the search warrants, certain suspects immediately opened fire with automatic weapons at special forces of the police. they opened fire during several minutes before being neutralized. two of the suspects were killed, a third one has been arrested. >> reporter: residents had been told not to leave their homes there were few who weren't able to resist a look. some claim to have heard heavy gunfire and three explosions. >> translator: i just left when i saw a police car passing me with its lights flashing. two seconds later i heard three large explosions like gunshots. i thought they were fireworks.

but then there was a terrible smell. so i knew they were not fireworks. that's why i came here. it all happened in two minutes. i didn't see anything, but i heard it. >> reporter: this raid, along with at least 10 other searches, in and around the belgium capital comes a week after bloody attacks in france. now belgium security levels are at a new high. >> translator: a decision was taken after a meeting organized by two of my minister to his raise the terror theft level to three on a scale of four. we don't know of a concrete and specific threat, but considering the situation we believe it is useful to raise the level of vigilance so that extra security measures can be taken. >> reporter: neave barker, al jazerra. a security analyst and ceo of the institute for near eastern gulf military analysis, he -- i spoke to him earlier and he explained how european intelligence agencies might track suspected fighters. >> when it comes to proof that

all those young men who some been to syria and iraq and went back home have high potential risk of them acting as cells either as cells that trigger -- they trigger the actions at the time their own likings or they continue to have minder from syria, iraq, telling them what to do. and what to target. so what we saw in paris i think opened the eyes of the intelligence community on this threat that is now a living amongst them winnow the capitals of europe, u.s., asia and many other countries. i think usually they are giving the funds and these cells, they are to go and find their own sources for these weapons from

the black market. and then try to do some scouting reconnaissance to identify the potential targets. so the mobilities within these targets and then try to decide on the date and the means to carry out the attacks. i don't think they will continue to have that much contact with their minders because usually from the experience of the intelligence community when the cell is about to be activated to carry out an attack, all communications go dead. they stop communicating with each other and that's when the intelligence officers become very alert because they know when communications go silent that means there is something about to happen. well, we are also getting

reports of a raid by german police in berlin that involved around 250 police officers. we know that two people have been arrested after the raid that took place on 11 properties. so we'll stay across this story and bring you more information as it comes to us. a raid by police in the german capital berlin. we know that some 250 police officers were involved that suggested that it was a significant raid. two arrests have been made. and 11 properties were the target for police. now, u.s. secretary of state john kersey in pair toys pay his respects to the victims of last week's attacks kerry just arrived at the palace for talks with the french president francois hole address hole. the your honor has been criticized for not sending a representative after the attacks.

what is john kerry seek to go do on this trip? >> reporter: as you acknowledge the white house has acknowledged a diplomatic shortcut having only the u.s. ambassador to attends the rally when other countries sent presidents, prime ministers or rings john kerry said he won't be making apologies but showing on scare at this. we have heard from the u.s. em embassy that an additional stop has been add today his visit. he will go to the scene of the shooting outside the kosher supermarket in the east of paris in addition to his other engagements. >> and jackie, what do we know about new security measures in france in the wake of the attackses? >> reporter: the first thing i should tell that you that there have also been more arrests here in paris. we have heard about the shootout and the arrests arrests in belgium

and breaking news as well about being people detained in berlin. french police detained approximately 10 to 12. we don't have an exact figure of suspects during the night in and around the paris area, people who are now being questioned. there are reports that it's believed that they might have been linked in some way to the third attacker. he was the one who killed a number of shoppers at that kosher supermarket in the east of paris but it's unclear yet whether some of those suspects, some of the people being questioned could possibly have links to the other attack. apparently police are saying that they believe that the people that they have arrested may in some way be linked in terms of logistics or financing or transport for those attackers helping them to get to and from, well, to in the case of the brothers who were able to escape from those offices of charlie hebdo and were on the run for a couple of days, so more arrests in paris as police continue

their investigation in to the week of attacks here. >> all right, jackie roland in paris, thank you. meanwhile, demonstrations against charlie hebdo magazine in several countries protests in yemen on thursday, calls for more to take place on friday. they are angry that they again depicted the prophet mohamed. voicing their disapproval of the new character caricature. in pakistan demonstrations against the new charlie hebdo cover. protesters launched in the streets on thursday. pakistan's parliament has approved a resolution condemning the publication of the magazine's latest depiction of the prophet mohamed. now, the u.n. says talks in geneva between libya's warring factions are making progress, al

jazerra understands they have agreed to lift the siege of cities and create humanitarian passages allowing aid to get through. the u.n. brokered talks between trip tripoli and the par parliament. they warn that the negotiations won't have any impact unless leaders of all armed groups are directly involved and some key players are not involved. zeina khodr have more from gentleman neave 5678 the transition to democracy in libya have failed. we have seen successive governments fail to impose state authority across the country. now the unites nations says time is running out and the only option we have is to push forward this political process. in fact, they said that this is the last chance for peace but the biggest question is, will this process be meaningful. will it be effective since not all rival parties are here. absent is the general national congress. this is the tripoli based parliament that is not

recognized by the international community, also not here powerful armed groups on the ground. the factions who have been meeting in geneva have agreed on what they are calling step to his build trust among libyans which involved lifting the siege on cities as well as opening humanitarian corridors but how are they going to implement this on the ground when if the other factions don't comply. what i understand from members of the parliament, is that the u.n. will be holding talks with the rival parties and telling them what was agreed upon. and if they do not implement those decisions is, sanctions could be imposed. what is clear is that the international community has placed libya -- libya is no long oater back burner they are saying it's a priority, we have to deal with the situation there because it's at the doorsteps of europe and groups the united nations describe as terrorist organizations they have taken advantage of the security vacuum there. so it seems that the international community is bent on trying to find some sort of a

solution. but if diplomacy fails the question is will we see international intervention? what kind of action will be taken. >> still to come for you this half hour. why sri lanka's former president could soon be under investigation for corruption. and as the price of oil continues to fall, we visit a community in texas worried about job losses.

♪ ♪ welcome back. let's update you on our top stories. police in belgium have killed two men suspected of having

links to armed groups in syria allegedly planning an attack. elsewhere in europe, german police have raided 11 properties in berlin arresting two people they believe are link today extremist groups. around 250 police officers were involved. u.s. secretary of to the john kerry has met the french president, kersey in pair toys pay his respect to his the victims of last week's attacks. united states has been facing criticism for not sending a senior figure to a unity march held in paris after those attacks. now memorial service is about to begin in paris for cartoonist known as sharp, he was one of 12 people killed in the attack on the offses of charlie hebdo last week. five other funerals were held on thursday. as jonah hull reports. >> reporter: in the week following the paris attacks france continues to bury the dead and to remember what they lived for.

in the suburbs there was the memorial service for bernard better known as charlie hebdo cartoonist. >> translator: i have barely seen such a a talent, his peed and eye for news, he's an inning chris i believe man and he really was a great great great cartoonist. >> reporter: what they lived for the slain cartoon assists is the principle of freedom of speech. the right to offend eastbound wallly all religions and positions of power. in doing so they contributed to deep rifts in france's multicultural society which includes the largest muslim population in the european union. charlie hebdo's first edition since the attacks has sold out in great numbers with the cartoon of the prophet mohamed on its cover a depiction that muslims believe is blas full us. >> translator: the problem is it

hurts people if it hurts people it's not freeze immaterial. there are limits for things, we muslims, it hurts us, i have a message to charlie hebdo stop caricaturing our prophet. >> reporter: so france way ho land speaking speaking thursday delivered a message of en clues sir at this and said this about attacks on religion. >> translator: we must bring to justice all those who attack a religion through forms such as antisemitism. that must not only be denounced but seriously punished. i want it fought firmly, i want it to become one of our national causes. >> reporter: a national cause with legal limitations. >> translator: nobody said we should protect freedom of expression at all costs. under french law there are a certain number of restrictions which must be strictly interpreted which which are necessary in a democratic society such as defamation slander hate speech apology for the most serious

crime but there is no blasphemy law. >> reporter: many muslims may wonder whether this should be a blasphemy law as the dead are buried and with charlie hebdo still very much alive. jonah hull, al jazerra paris. british prime minute stir david cameron is in the united states for a two-day visit. he's expect to discuss the recent attacks in paris with u.s. president barack obama. patty culhane has more. >> reporter: more than any other world leader, u.s. president barack obama has maids a habit of being seen palling around with u.k. prime minister david cameron. but in light of paris attack, this is expected to be a much more subdued visitment. top of the agenda the fight of the islamic state in iraq and levant. and al qaeda. former u.s. ambassador to nato, thinks cameron and other european leaders want the u.s. to do more. >> i don't think president obama

is at all uncomfortable with where he is on these issues, he's quite happy not being on the lead in these issues, quite happy not being on the ground in syria. limiting what we will do we will degrade isis but going in and uprooting them he is quite comfortable. >> reporter: a they are focusing on a trade pact and the fight against ebola. but no announcements are expected. for ram con he's hope to make progress on the last british resident held in kwan guantanamo bay. he has been cleared for release but remains in the fa ill s with his own election not far away we it would be a government if he is seen to be able to translate friendship in to this man's freedom. patsy culhane, al jazerra washington. eight shia houthi rebels have been killed in fighting with local tribes men in yemen.

they happened in the al qauda strong hold southeast of the capita san sanaa. for several weeks they have been fighting there. there are reports that isil fighters have killed 15 people in syria in the past 24 hours. according to the syrian observatory for human rights, 10 killed in one town and three in other and two in another. the accusations raged from fighting isil to spying and weapons possession. pope francis has called on leaders in the philippine to his ject corruption and end social injustice. he has been warmly welcomed. pope francis has also called on leaders to reject corruption. he was making a number of comments ahead of a great deal of excitement and anticipation ahead of his visit.

harry few cesc has fawcett has more. >> reporter: the first mass of that five-day papel visit is now over. it would held behinds where pope francis spoke in english directly to the congregation inside and the thousands gathered here in the square in the streets around outside. he began by quoting from the gospel the words of jesus christ, do you love me. to which there was the immediate response a chorus of yes. which amused the pope and he thanked the congregation for that. then went on to the serious nature of his message which is very much about fighting inequality and poverty. reflecting comments that he had made earlier to politicians including the president of the country. so it seems to be very much the theme of this first day proper of the visit. that along with the huge crowds we saw as i say thousands gather heard, very, very keen to get everybody the briefest glimpse of the pope as he drove in and out. holding their camera phones up in the air above them to try and

catch that moment for themselves. they would -- some of them saying to me earlier on that really it was just a case of being present here in this square at the same time as the pope. even they didn't get to see him up close some saying they wanted specific prayers answered for their own lives and their own health. but for the pope, it seems very much to be an issue of poverty that he wants to tackle today. telling fill tino fill filipinos. the slow lan can government has called for an investigation in to the former president much of the focus will be on huge development projects near his hometown charles stafford reports from southern sri lanka. >> reporter: working his rice fields here for 20 years. like many people here, he's a big fan of the local man who

lost in the recent presidential election. >> translator: a voted for him because he won the war and he developed this area. i am concerned the new government will forget us. >> reporter: it was in a house very close to here where the former president was born. so it should perhaps not be surprising that he directed so much investment in big projects in this local area. but it's those projects that could well be the focus of an investigation in to corruption by this country's new leader. the road is a four-lane highway with very little on it. the former president's 28-year-old son is the local member of parliament. there is the near empty international airport named after the president, built with the help a $209 million chinese loan. the international cricket stadium rises above the banana teams and coconut palms.

china lent $400 million for the port for the first phase of construction and $810 million for the second. when the opposition at the time sent a fact-finding team here last year, they were pelted with eggs and the local mayor charged them wheeling what he later said was only a plastic gun. since then, he was arrested and charged with assault after an incidents during the election campaign. sri lanka's new president says the funding process for these projects lacked transparency. the loan repayments are unsustainable. and has promised an inquiry in to corruption. >> i think an investigation is important. justice must are done, justice must be seen to be done. it's not only about the people who stole it's about the people coming to offers as well. it's justice is done, then the people who hold offers will also be careful in the future. >> reporter: al jazerra spoke to the former governor of the central bank two days before the election. we asked him for his response to threats of an investigation by

the now newly elected president. >> for him to get up one more than and say look, i have. [ inaudible ] that. questions his credibility. >> reporter: he resigned the day after the election win. one political party has already submitted complaints to the bribery commission about him and members of the former president's family including the former president. back on the farm, he says he will continue supporting his favorite local politician. but with his election campaign in tatters the former president and many of his allies, may need to come up with answers fast. charles stratford, al jazerra southern slow lan at sri lanka. in peru student creme staters are clashed with police over a controversial new labor law. the new legislation allows employers to reduce benefits to employees between the ages of 18 and 24. protesters say the law will restrict workers' rights but the government says the law will

reduce youth unemployment. frustration is growing in mexico over the military's alleged role in the disappearance of 43 students last september. authorities say at least 20 mexican state officials are under investigation. adam rainy has more now from mexico city. >> reporter: i am standing outside the mexico's main army headquarters for the first time ever a court has ordered the army to open up several bases across the country including this one to human rights experts, forensic investigators and family members of missing or killed people to look for evidence that the army may have played a role in the killing of gorilla rebels and also a role in the disappearance of dozens of students who went missing in september. now, this comes after eight years of a raging drug war in which the army has been fighting alongside police, battling organized criminal groups across the whole country. it was a move that at the time was very popular in 2006, when former president felipe calderon decided to send the army in to

this drug war. but, in fact, they haven't lived up to the promise to bring down levels of violence, mexico continues to be extremely violent and the military and the army particularly have now been linked to thousands of cases of human rights abuse. rape torture and murder. and in the next few weeks we can expect to see forensic teams searching this base in mexico city and other ones around the country, it's a sign that shows just how far this long honored and respected institution in mexico has fallen in the eyes of many mexicans. falling oil prices seem to be good news for consumers but not producers. in the u.s. state of texas the oil industry there employs around 2 million people and generates close to $3 billion a year. but some nba some communities worries over job security are growing address did gal andy gal her reports. >> reporter: dear park a state

at that built its fortunate on his oil. this is the quint quintessential oil refinery. chimneys dominate the landscape f people here don't work directly for the oil company itself, they are connected to it in so many ways, the entire community here depends on their employment and the drop in the price of oil has ben deeply concerned. this is place where evening engineers welders and cleaning staff come to pick up short-term contracts. but things are changing. for the first time since many can remember, workers are being turned away. one man told us they now call this area the crying hall. >> right down the road is all refinery and all these people live off the refinery. so it's starting to already make an impact on a lot of people, friends that i know. >> we have to do something. i mean, like i gotta feed my family. support my family l i gotta find something else. >> reporter: for mechanic george, who remembers the oil crisis of the '80s, cheap soil a worry.

his biggest clients are the oil companiescompanies and their workers and he's concerned about his long-term prospects. >> i am at retirement age right now. i can't just walk away i have too stay here and i -- even if you tried to sale the business at that rate, it's going to be hard to do. >> reporter: but economists like adam purdue say the economy my here is still growing. he predicts job losses of 20,000 and says people will need to move to find work. >> we have been through it twice and it's rough. evening if it just end up being that you have to switch to a different part of town, it's still hard. but they are still -- they are still plenty of opportunity here in houston. >> reporter: around a quarter of the state's wealth is made from oil, a figure much higher in places like deer park and most here are now at the mercy of a market they can't control. andy, al jazerra, deer park, texas.

remember you can deep up-to-date with everything that we are covering on our website the address for that is aljazerra.com. there you you will find all the latest comments, analysis and video on demands do check tut on. aljazerra.com. for anyone who thinks american workers feed more education, the president has an idea, let's send more people to college, but it is going to be expensive, will federal and state governments shelling out for better students get paid back, it is inside story. hello, i am ray swarez.