'Explosive belt' find prompts speculation over fugitive's moves on night of Paris attacks

A reported explosive belt found by French police was recovered close to where a mobile phone used by suspected assailant Salah Abdeslam was detected on the night of the Paris attacks, according to reports.

That has prompted speculation about Abdeslam's precise movements on the night of the attacks.

French investigators initially believed Abdeslam had been in a black Seat Leon car that was used in the shootings at restaurants and cafes in the 10th and 11th districts of the capital.

But the Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed source close to the investigation as saying Abdeslam's mobile phone was detected in Paris's 18th district on the night of the attacks, near an abandoned Renault Clio car that he had rented.

The area is also close to Montrouge, where the explosive belt - reported to contain the same explosives as used in the attacks - was recovered.

Following the discovery, the Reuters source said there was now a "strong suspicion" Abdeslam had been driving the Clio rather than travelling in the Seat.

Furthermore, when Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, it said it had targeted the Stade de France soccer stadium, the Bataclan concert hall, the 10th and 11th districts, as well as the 18th district.

Since there were no explosions or shootings in the 18th, investigators are now wondering whether there was a failed, or aborted, attack, the source said.

But the source added that it was too soon to say whether the suspected explosive belt had been in contact with Abdeslam.