Tight N.Y. security for Ahmadinejad

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A New York hotel has been turned into an armed fortress to house Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while he attends the U.N. General Assembly.

Increased security, specially installed bulletproof windows, metal detectors and anti-terror weapons greeted Ahmadinejad on his arrival at the Hilton Manhattan East hotel Saturday, the New York Post reported.

"I've seen guys with machine guns outside (the hotel), but not machine guns with grenade launchers on the ends of them," said one hotel worker who handled security in the past.

The Holocaust-denying Iranian leader, on his sixth visit to the U.N. General Assembly, is granted the city's second-highest level of security, sources said; only U.S. President Barack Obama gets more.

The hotel -- less than a block from the Israeli Consulate -- will be guarded by an average of 30 New York police officers working 12-hour shifts and a Secret Service detail monitoring the premises at all times, the Post said.

Hotel guests, who were not told of Ahmadinejad's stay, have to pass through airport-style metal detectors to enter and exit.

The visit by the Iranian leader, who has called for the destruction of Israel, inspired a demonstration.

About 100 protesters gathered near Columbus Circle to protest his upcoming U.N. appearance.