BRUSSELS:   The planners behind the March 22 bombings in Brussels which killed 32 people had initially planned to attack Paris but struck closer to home as investigators made arrests among key suspects, Belgian prosecutors said.

"Numerous elements in the investigation have shown that the terrorist group initially had the intention to strike in France again," Belgium's federal prosecutor said in a statement on Sunday.

"Surprised by the speed of progress in the investigation, they took the decision to strike in Brussels," the statement added.