After the storm of criticism that swept over the investment of the Dutch Crown Prince, Willem-Alexander in Mozambique, a Belgian prince is facing similar criticism.

Prince Laurent, the youngest son of King Albert II, has his eyes set on Guinea for future developments in the agricultural and housing sectors.

According to a declaration made by Amadou Diaby, the Guinean Ambassador in Belgium, on the website Guinee24.com, Prince Laurent would like to support agriculture and housing finance projects in Guinea. However, these projects are said to have close links to the regime.

The Prince and the Ambassador had a one-hour conversation over the issue on Friday and will meet again tomorrow.

The Belgian Foreign Minister Yves Leterme has confirmed that the Prince met with Guinean diplomats. But Leterme added that no single initiative has yet been undertaken by the Prince in Guinea.

It is not the first time Prince Laurent is at the centre of controversy. He was accused of dealing in fraudulent money in the navy. The Belgian government was also thoroughly annoyed when he sold pictures of his newborn twins to a weekly for a substantial amount of money. In his younger days, he frequently made the headlines be it for speeding or his affair with TV celebrity Wendy van Wanten.

source: ANP

Photo: ANP/Bruxellespress