About 14,000 Israeli police officers will man the streets of Jerusalem, safeguarding U.S. President George W. Bush for his three-day visit to Jerusalem beginning from Wednesday, local daily Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday, citing Israeli police.
Jerusalem District Police Commander Aharon Franco said their major concern was terrorist threats, noting that a closure of the West Bank that went into force ahead of Independence Day has been extended until Saturday night.
Police have not received security threats against Bush yet, Franco said.
Jerusalemites can expect major traffic jams throughout the city as police will close off central Jerusalem thoroughfares during the visit, dubbed by police "Operation Clear Skies 2."
In an effort to alleviate traffic issues, Bush will arrive in Jerusalem by helicopter. He will land at the city's Givat Ram stadium before heading to Jerusalem's landmark King David Hotel, his residence during his trip.
The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv main highway will be closed at 11:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) on Wednesday as the president's entourage makes their way to the city, Franco said.
Jerusalem's King David Street will be closed for the duration of the visit, while nearby city roads will be periodically closed when Bush leaves his hotel.
Parking cars on certain streets near the hotel will be prohibited during the visit and will result in vehicle tows, he added.
"We are trying to minimize as much as possible the damage done to the public," Franco was quoted by Jerusalem Post as saying.
Police plans to close major streets for shorter periods of time than they did during Bush's previous visit in January for "lessons learned."
Around 10,000 officers have been deployed for safeguarding Bush's January visit, his first as president, Franco said.
Bush will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres during his visit, and attend an international conference hosted by Peres at the International Convention Center.
On Thursday morning, Bush will tour Masada on the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem to address a special session of the Knesset (parliament) at mid-day.
On Friday, he'll meet with the youth at the city's Bible Lands Museum before leaving the country at 11:00 a.m. (0800 GMT).
Bush will not visit the West Bank during his trip, but will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Egypt's coastal city Sharm e-Sheikh after his trip to Israel.
Meanwhile, First Lady Laura Bush, who is accompanying her husband, will visit the Old City of Jerusalem on Wednesday, and is scheduled to visit the Western Wall and tour the Western Wall tunnels while her husband goes to his meetings, police said.
Source: Xinhua
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