11/04/2023

US President Joe Biden To Arrive In Belfast Tonight

A major security operation is in place in Belfast city centre, in preparation for a visit from US President, Joe Biden.

Due to arrive in the city this evening (Tuesday 11 April), Air Force One, the official Presidential aircraft, will arrive from Washington DC into International Airport, where he will be greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

While no official information has been released about Mr Biden's plans for Tuesday evening, it is believed that he will stay at a Belfast city centre hotel. Bedford Street in the city centre, where the Grand Central Hotel is located has been closed by police since Monday afternoon.

Mr Biden will give a speech at the new Ulster University Campus in Belfast on Wednesday morning, before leaving the city to travel south to visit counties Louth and Mayo – where he is known to have relatives – before visiting Dublin. He will then depart from Dublin on Friday.

During his brief visit to Belfast, Mr Biden is expected to meet with the leaders of NI's five main political parties.

A major police operation began in Belfast on Monday and will remain in place until Mr Biden leaves on Wednesday.

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