Myanmar boosts security ahead of ASEAN summit

The Myanmar police will deploy 11,000 personnel for the security of ASEAN leaders attending the 24th ASEAN Summit to be held in capital Nay Pyi Taw this weekend, media reported Tuesday.

This will be the first time for Myanmar to take such security measures by mobilising the highest number of police personnel for the most number of world leaders attending a regional summit in Myanmar, Xinhua cited local 7-Day News as quoting senior police official Soe Myaing.

Police forces from Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay regions have been mobilised to stand by for security duties.

Reports said Myanmar has tightened security at Yangon International Airport in cooperation with Interpol a week ahead of hosting the regional summit.

The Interpol team deployed at the airport comprises officers from South Korea, Canada and Slovenia.

They will help Myanmar airport immigration authorities to look for suspects as part of counter-terrorism activities.

The 24th ASEAN Summit is slated for May 10-11 at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Nay Pyi Taw.

Myanmar is taking the rotating chair of ASEAN this year for the first time after joining the grouping in July 1997.