Arrest ends Dutch hostage siege

Dutch police have arrested an armed man who took at least four people hostage in the Dutch city of Almelo, about 150km (100 miles) east of Amsterdam.

The siege took place in Almelo's city hall. The man had reportedly been in a dispute with city officials after losing his restaurant licence.

A city council member was reported to be among the hostages.

He was reported to have set his restaurant on fire before driving to the city hall and burning his car too.

While city hall officials were distracted by the fire, the man apparently slipped into the building.

Dutch media said about 50 employees were escorted from the city hall by police at about 1200 GMT, about three hours after the stand-off began.

Police sealed off the area and said they were trying to contact the man.

Later they reported that he had been arrested, but declined to give any more details.