UK puts extra 3,500 military personnel to protect Olympic venuesJuly 12, 2012 - 12:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Britain put an extra 3,500 military personnel on standby Wednesday to protect venues at the London Olympics, after a private contractor said it may not be able to provide enough security guards on time, AP reports. The contractor, G4S, had been enlisted to provide the bulk of the 13,200 private security guards across 100 venues, but said in a statement that it may not hit its target because of problems recruiting and training staff. In a statement, the government ministry in charge of crime and security said the troops would be ready to be deployed to cover any shortfall. Britain has committed 553 million pounds ($857 million) for venue security, covering arenas in London and other locations across Britain - including a southern England sailing center and five soccer stadiums. In the country's mammoth Olympics security operation, 7,500 troops are already being deployed at venues and 6,000 more had previously been put on stand-by to provide a range of security duties. If all military personnel - including the extra forces announced Wednesday - were deployed, the total would be 17,000 - dwarfing the 9,500 troops Britain has in Afghanistan. About 12,000 police, 3,000 volunteers, Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts are also part of the vast program aimed at securing the London Games. London's Olympic Organizing Committee said in a statement that the security plan was "big and complex, but we have the best brains in the security business working on this - Home Office, Metropolitan Police, MoD (Britain's defense ministry) and (the) world's largest private security business." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |