Rio seeks 2,500 soldiers for patrolling during Olympics

Soldiers would mainly patrol Rio's major roads and streets surrounding Olympic venues to carry out tasks like caring for tourists, citizens

This capital city's government has requested that 2,500 members of Brazil's armed forces be deployed during this year's Olympic Games, officials have said.

State secretary of public security, Jose Mariano Beltrame, said the soldiers would mainly patrol Rio's major roads and streets surrounding Olympic venues, reports Xinhua.

"This would allow the state's security forces to carry out other tasks like caring for citizens and tourists, because the city will be full," Beltrame said on Friday.

The request will be forwarded by defence minister Raul Jungmann to interim president Michel Temer next week, Beltrame said.

An additional 9,600 members of Brazil's national security force will be responsible for overseeing security within Rio's Olympic sports venues.

In total there will be 85,000 security personnel - including armed forces, police and security agents - deployed during the Games.

The Olympics will be held from August 5 to 21 and the Paralympics from September 7 to 18.