Serbia sets top security for Biden visit

BELGRADE, Serbia, May 14 (UPI) -- Serbian officials said the government will raise security measures to the highest level for a visit to Belgrade by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

Police Minister Ivica Dacic said the country's security forces and police officers have been working with U.S. security services on preparations for Biden's visit, scheduled for next week.

As part of the preparations, Dacic and Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac attended a joint exercise of anti-terrorist units of the military and police at the police camp at Kula, 80 miles northwest of Belgrade. The exercise simulated assaults on prominent people, the Serbian news agency Beta said.

Addressing reporters at the Kula camp, Dacic asked the residents of Belgrade to be patient because some streets will be closed and public gatherings will be banned where Biden's motorcade is scheduled to pass.

On his Balkan countries tour beginning Monday, Biden is scheduled to visit Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia.