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Bush ready to touch down in NI US president arrives in Belfast
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is set to arrive in Northern Ireland later as part of his farewell tour of Europe before leaving office. United States President George W Bush has arrived in Belfast as part of his farewell tour of office.
The first and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will greet him at Stormont Castle. Mr Bush and the First Lady are scheduled to carry out a series of engagements.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown thanked the US president for his "essential role in securing peace in Northern Ireland". The First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will greet him at Stormont Castle.
Mr Brown is also travelling to Belfast to greet the president on his arrival. Several hundred people demonstrated in Belfast city centre against the visit. Some climbed to the roof of the city hall and erected an Iraqi flag.
Mr Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are travelling to Belfast in their Air Force One plane. Prime Minister Brown also travelled to Belfast to greet the president and his wife Laura on their arrival.
In London earlier, Mr Brown acknowledged Mr Bush's personal efforts in speeding up the Northern Ireland process.
He also thanked him for the US role in securing jobs and said news of more jobs for Northern Ireland would be announced later.
During his visit, Mr Bush will meet pupils and teachers at a mixed-faith school.During his visit, Mr Bush will meet pupils and teachers at a mixed-faith school.
Mrs Bush will attend a series of private engagements.Mrs Bush will attend a series of private engagements.
Protesters flew an Iraqi flag for a periodProtesters flew an Iraqi flag for a period
Security will be tight, and police have warned that traffic delays are expected throughout the day. Security is tight, and police have warned that traffic delays are expected throughout the day.
People travelling to airports have been advised to allow extra time for their journey.People travelling to airports have been advised to allow extra time for their journey.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said any inconvenience would be outweighed by the benefits. The protest at Belfast City Hall was organised by the Belfast Anti-War Movement representing trade unions and student and women's groups.
"Seeing him here in Northern Ireland does put our name across on the map in the United States," he said. "This is proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. The police maintained a security presence and cordoned off the road to traffic immediately in the front of the City Hall as the number of protestors grew.
"I can tell you all the professionals who are involved in economic development trying to market Northern Ireland for tourism and for business will tell you the publicity we get out of this visit in the United States will be invaluable."
Several hundred people have been demonstrating in Belfast city centre against the visit.
Some protesters climbed to the roof of the City Hall and an Iraqi flew was flown for a period.
The protest was organised by the Belfast Anti-War Movement representing trade unions and student and women's groups.
The police maintained a security presence and sealed off the road to traffic immediately in the front of the City Hall as the number of protestors grew.
Motorists were diverted from the area causing some delays.
Watch live coverage of the presidential visit to Northern Ireland at 1500 BST.Watch live coverage of the presidential visit to Northern Ireland at 1500 BST.