Belgium hostage standoff ends quietly

GHENT, Belgium -- Belgian police detained three men after they took a hostage Monday in an apartment building in the western city of Ghent. The hostage was released unharmed.

It was still unclear why the men had taken the hostage but it was not an act of terror, federal police spokeswoman Annemie Serlippens said.

"There appears to be nothing political," she said.

Four armed men had been reported entering the apartment block early Monday in the working-class neighborhood, prompting police to set up a big security operation to keep bystanders away.

After several hours, at least two men left the building with their hands up. It was unclear how the third man came out or whether police were still looking for more suspects.

Local media reported a previous hostage incident in Ghent two months ago that was linked to extortion.