A two-week exercise to test security in Athens ahead of this year's Olympic Games has been hailed a success. The drill included a simulated chemical attack, a plane hijacking and an outbreak of an epidemic.
Around 1,500 Greek security personnel and several hundred US soldiers took part in "Operation Hercules Shield".
"The drill showed international cooperation to be the strongest weapon against any possible threat," said a statement from the Greek government.
Greece is staging the biggest security operation in the Games' 108-year modern history, costing more than 650 million euros - three times the amount spent at the Sydney 2000 Games.
More than 45,000 security staff will guard the Games and escort teams to and from sports venues.
Greece has asked Nato to assist with air and sea patrols and has set up a seven-nation security advisory group.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
The defining images