Sweden tightens security amid Obama's visit

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Sweden tightens security amid Obama's visit

(Xinhua) 20:42, September 04, 2013

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STOCKHOLM, Sept. 4 -- The Swedish government on Wednesday strengthened security to welcome the U.S.'s President Barack Obama with the Stockholm, the capital city, almost in a lock-down mode.

Large parts of central Stockholm were blocked by local police. JAS-aircraft is patrolling in sky and specialists from Armed Forces are searching of traces about nuclear weapons. Transport by rail and commuter train passing the president's itinerary have been turned off.

Outside the Grand Hotel where Obama stays, cars have been towed away and divers have searched through the water near the hotel. Stockholm has never before had a greater level about security, according to reports from local daily Dagens Nyheter (DN).

Two thousands police officers and specialists from the Defence Forces have been called in to protect the U.S. president. Mobile radars were deployed in central Stockholm to search airspace for aircraft, cruise missiles and grenades.

"We will increase our presence and security in the skies and in Swedish territorial waters in order to protect against any threats that may affect the visit," Philip Simon, press secretary at the Swedish Armed Forces was quoted as saying by DN.

According to the Swedish government, the president's programme on Wednesday and Thursday includes meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, dinner with the Nordic heads of state or governments, a meeting with the King and Queen at the Royal Palace, a visit to the KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

（Editor：WangXin、Hongyu）