Greece imposes Olympics arms ban

Security for the 2004 Olympics is the most expensive ever

Greece says national Olympic teams will not be allowed to bring their own armed security guards to the Games.

The country's public order minister said state leaders could take armed guards but Greece alone would protect international athletes.

"Leaders, presidents, kings are one thing and athletes are another," George Voulgarakis said.

"Greece is exclusively responsible for the protection and guarding of the athletes."

A report by the New York Times suggested Greece had reached a tacit agreement with the US to allow armed American agents to act as bodyguards for their athletes.

But Mr Voulgarakis denied this.

"As far as the Games are concerned it is clear that Greek authorities have the exclusive responsibility, and they have done everything humanly possible for the Games to be held in a safe and peaceful environment," he said.

Security spending

In May the Greek government said it would be providing 24-hour armed protection for American, British and Israeli athletes, thought to be at particular risk during this summer's Games.

The country is rolling out the largest ever Olympic security operation in the history of the Games, spending up to one billion euros ($1.3bn, £600m) on 40,000 policemen, guards and troops.

Heads of state and other country leaders will be allowed to bring their own security personnel, in accordance with international agreements, Mr Voulgarakis said on Wednesday.

"The leaders of countries have specific protocols, that are separate and unrelated with the Olympics. These are bilateral agreements signed many years ago."

The country's constitution bans foreigners from bearing arms on Greek soil.