Rome in tight security for Bush's visit

Thousands of police lined the streets of Rome on Friday, the first day of a visit by US President George W. Bush.

The police said many central roads will be closed to traffic during Bush's visit. Trash bins and cars along routes were removed.

Helicopters hovered overhead and the air space over Rome is closed to private aircraft during the visit.

Small groups of protesters have rallied in the capital to protest against the visit by Bush, who is here to ply the 60th anniversary of D-Day to seek support from Europe on the issue of Iraq.

A major demonstration is expected to draw thousands of people later on Friday. Protesters have said they would try to disrupt Bush's visit by blocking roads.

Protesters are massing outside the city center for marches that will start from four points. The largest peace demonstration is scheduled to take place in the afternoon in the central Piazza della Repubblica.

"We want to tell Bush that he is not at all welcome," one protester said through a loudspeaker as one march got under way.

In two incidents in the morning, police removed anti-Bush balloons from lamp-posts near the city center, and car tyres were set on fire by a group of young anti-capitalists who call themselves the Disobedient.

Bush arrived in Rome before dawn Friday and is scheduled to leave Saturday for Paris.

Italian President thanks US war veterans for liberating Rome

Ciampi said ahead of a meeting with visiting US President George W. Bush that "On the morning of that June 4 sixty years ago the entry of allied troops into the capital aroused relief and emotion. The First Special Force was greeted with a tide of enthusiasm by the city, which felt freed."

"More than half a century has passed but awareness of memory is an indispensable aid to face present challenges united," he added.

He stressed the importance of continuing the "debate, respect and solidarity that have marked 50 years of Italo-US relations, via multilateral institutions like NATO."