Bad lasagna sours Argentina summit security

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The massive security force deployed by Argentina for an Americas-wide presidential summit this week suffered its first glitch yesterday - food poisoning.

At least 70 federal police officers guarding the beach resort hotel where US President George W Bush and others will meet were overcome by diarrhoea and vomiting after dining on lasagna at a nearby hotel late on Tuesday, police commissioner Daniel Rodriguez told local radio.

The indisposed officers received medication and were expected to be well enough to resume their duties later in the day, Rodriguez said.

The hotel is the preferred eating grounds for the 700-strong police squad patrolling the city, but was closed by city inspectors following the incident.

The federal police are among 7000 police and military personnel forming a fortified security ring around the top hotels for the 34-nation summit in Mar del Plata, 400km south of Buenos Aires, on Friday and Saturday.

Protesters plan a rally on Friday against Bush that will include Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona and families of US soldiers killed in Iraq.

- REUTERS