Portuguese armed forces to help police during Euro 2004

Portuguese Defence Minister Paulo Portas said soldiers could be recruited to help police boost security during the Euro 2004 finals.

Portuguese soldiers could be recruited to help police boost security during the Euro 2004 finals, Defence Minister Paulo Portas revealed.

"The law allows, under certain circumstances, that the armed forces play a role in the provision of internal security," he told reporters Wednesday, adding soldiers could ensure "Euro 2004 is a safe event".

Portas said the measure had already been planned before the train bombings which killed more than 200 people last week in neighbouring Spain.

Portugal, like Spain, was a vocal supporter of the US-led war against Iraq, and the bombings in Madrid have heightened fears that the country could also become a target to Islamic extremists.

The country is expecting an extra 500,000 visitors for the 16-nation championship which will take place in eight cities from June 12 to July 4.

England and Italy, two other countries which strongly supported the war against Iraq are taking part in the tournament, the largest sports event worldwide after the Olympics and the World Cup.

The Portuguese air force will patrol the skies with F-16 fighter jets and will close the airspace over stadiums on match days, according to an air force source cited by weekly newspaper Expresso over the weekend.

The newspaper said the measure was asked for by organisers who feared hijacked planes could endanger spectators' safety during the event.