Rio de Janeiro, June 12 (NNN-XINHUA-RHC) -- The Brazilian Armed Forces have started patrolling key districts in Rio de Janeiro for the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) scheduled for June 20th to the 22nd.

Marine troops have been stationed along the main highways to the city, occasionally accompanied by vehicle support, according to the security force of the conference.

Coastal patrols have also been launched by the Brazilian Navy with a helicopter, a patrol ship, and fleet of smaller vessels deployed along the city’s coastline.

As many as 8,000 Brazilian military troops are among the Rio+20 Summit’s 15,000-member security force, which is composed of personnel from the navy, marines, air force, police, fire department, civil defense and municipal guard.

Anti-terrorism and cyber defence units will participate in the security efforts as well.

According to local authorities, Brazil has also received foreign assistance in the area of intelligence security.

The preliminary events will start tomorrow, June 13th, ahead of the Rio+20 Summit, which will attract more than 100 heads of State and government.

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