Final warning for Belgian prince

Prince Laurent of Belgium has been summoned to appear before the Belgian government today. The summons came after it was revealed that the aristocrat, notorious for his many affairs, had been in contact with Libyan diplomats regarding his investments in Libya. Only recently he triggered a scandal by paying a visit to the Congolese dictator Joseph Kabila. This must be Laurent's final warning, the daily De Standaard writes: "A prince who receives an allowance from the taxpayers must do all he does in agreement with the government. The question now is how should he be sanctioned if he violates this maxim again? His allowance must be withdrawn, that goes without saying. But that doesn't guarantee an end to such infringements. On the contrary. The prince's only asset is his descent. He has no other means of financing his lifestyle. No one has taught him or encouraged him to do anything useful or harmless. Again and again financial interests have thwarted his plans. This is one of the inevitable side-effects of a hereditary monarchy."

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