Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said on Saturday that a total of 8,800 security personnel would work during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the largest Turkish city of Istanbul, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Obama, who is scheduled to arrive in Turkey late Sunday, will hold meetings in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday, and then he will proceed to Istanbul to attend Alliance of Civilizations meeting on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.
Guler was quoted as saying that some roads and streets would temporarily be closed to traffic during Obama's visit, adding that there would be no interruption in tramway and ferry services.
Guler said that Obama's visit would be an important one, adding that seven heads of state and government, 36 ministers and heads of 13 international organizations would attend the 2nd Forum of Alliance of Civilizations.
U.S. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Friday that Obama's visit to Turkey aimed at highlighting Ankara's significance.
Gibbs said that Obama wanted to enhance relations with Turkey emphasizing the importance of working together with its NATO ally.
He said inclusion of Turkey in the destinations of Obama's first trip, which might strike as rather a surprise for the Turkish people, was an important gesture from the U.S. president.
...
