Vatican steps up security
14/12/2003 22:24  - (SA)  

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Rome - Italian police said they were taking the unprecedented measure of closing the main avenue leading to the Vatican every night over Christmas after Israeli intelligence service Mossad passed on a warning about the possibility of attacks on Christian sites.

The avenue, Via della Conciliazione, is to be closed from midnight to 07:00 nightly from Monday.

The daily La Repubblica reported intelligence sources as saying Mossad had passed on a warning over the likelihood of attacks on Christian sites over the holiday period.

Security has also been stepped up around significant Christian sites like St Mark's basilica in Venice, Milan's Duomo, and notable basilicas in Turin and Bologna.

Police have erected barriers to prevent vehicles and motor scooters stopping near Santa Maria Novella in Florence, opposite the Tuscan capital's main train station.

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