Athens in lockdown in wake of Barack Obama’s visit (photos)

Athens will be in complete lockdown, in the wake of outgoing US President Barack Obama’s official 2-day visit to Greece on Tuesday, November 15. The heightened security measures include restricting access to areas in and around Athens, including the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, the centre of the Greek capital, the Acropolis and the Astera resort in Vouliagmeni. Although the hotel where the US President will be staying has not be made public, sources say that he and his close aides are likely stay at the Astera Hotel in Vouliagmeni, while the rest of the US entourage will be staying at the Intercontinental hotel. Greek riots police units have been deployed to all the areas Obama is expected to pass through. Meanwhile, a Lockhead C130J-30 US Air Force airplane carrying medical supplies landed in the Elefsina airport, Sunday. According to reports, around 300 members of the US secret services arrived in Athens Friday night. According to newspaper “Eleftheros Typos”, the possibility of Barack Obama delivering a speech at the Acropolis Museum is being seriously considered, after the plan to hold his speech at the ancient site of the Pnyka Hill was cancelled due to security concerns. Barack Obama is expected to gibe two speeches during his visit to Athens, with his second address focusing on economic matters and scheduled to be held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation building.