Cyprus` Police force has taken heightened security measures for the official visit to Cyprus of Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday and Thursday.

Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said the Police are on high alert in view of the visit on Thursday, and would be in full force the moment the President arrives in Cyprus. He said the Emergency Response Unit, with its Special Antiterrorist Squad, will be in close cooperation with other Police departments and services, to cover the whole operation.

Katsounotos noted that the Crisis Management Centre of the Unit would be in operation, and that the helicopter of the Air Operation Unit would be monitoring the whole operation. He added that Chief of Police Michalis Papageorgiou has given clear orders to everyone involved in the Police operation to be fully alert and ready to make sure security is totally successful during Peres` visit.

Replying to questions, Katsounotos said Peres would also be accompanied by members of his own guard.