More than 1,500 police will be deployed at Rome's Fiumicino airport for the arrival and departure of United States President George W. Bush, sources at Leonardo da Vinci Airport said on June 7.

On June 8, Bush is scheduled to arrive in the evening and is set to depart in the morning on June 10 after an official visit on June 9.

Although exact details of security measures are being kept secret, there are unconfirmed reports that helicopter gunships will be deployed at the airport.

A no-fly zone will be in effect 30 minutes before and after Bush's arrival and departure with air traffic reduced to a minimum two hours before and after.

Italian F-16 jet fighters will escort the presidential planes in the air from when they enter Italian air space to when they leave.

The presidential plane Air Force One and its twin Air Force Two will be kept under tight surveillance during the 36-hour period Bush will be in the Italian capital.

Bush is stopping in Italy after taking part in the G8 summit in Germany. He has already visited the Czech Republic and will stop in Poland on his way to Italy.

Before returning to the United States, Bush will visit Albania and Bulgaria.