KATHMANDU: Security in Kathmandu Valley has been strengthened in view of the 'Asia Pacific Summit-2018' taking place for the first time in Nepal.

The Home Ministry has stated that it has taken all possible measures to keep the security full-proof. According to Ministry's Information Officer Ekdev Adhikari, all security bodies have been directed to carry out assigned tasks in view of the summit and arrivals of VIP and VVIP foreign guests.

'Guests from 45 countries including the incumbent heads-of-state and heads-of-government will be arriving for the summit,' he said, adding that the Ministry had done its best to ensure reliable security arrangements.'Security personnel have been mobilised in several areas as per the existing security plan, and the issue of security threat has been considered.'

More focus has been laid on the security of residential areas chosen for international delegates, the programme venue and roadd. The Ministry is concerned about personal safety of guests arriving here at the invitation of the government, keeping which in mind the security arrangements have been put in place.

Police spokesperson Uttam Raj Subedi was quoting in Rastriya Samachar Samiti as saying that no stone had been left unturned with regard to security arrangements. He said, subordinate security personnel had been directed to perform their duties seriously.

Metropolitan Traffic Police Division chief, Senior Superintendent of Police Basanta Kumar Panta, said there are no issues related to traffic management in Kathmandu during the summit. Traffic movement in every area has been considered.

Meanwhile, the odd-even number plate system for operating vehicles in the valley implemented since Thursday morning in view of the summit has been withdrawn from 11:30 am today, bearing in mind inconveniences faced by the people.

This is the first extended international summit after the fourth BIMSTEC Summit held on August 30-31 in Kathmandu.

Six heads-of-state/government and deputy chiefs, five first ladies, 10 former heads-of-state, one deputy prime minister, five speakers and deputy speakers are among the 1,500 guests from 45 countries attending the event.

Lakoba Taeia Italeni, the Head-of-State of Tuvalu, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, and State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi arrived here Thursday to attend the Summit while Vice President of the Republic of Philippines Leni Robredo has been in the capital since Wednesday.

Likewise, President of Nauru Baron Waqa and Head-of-State of Samoa Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Saulauvi II are arriving today.

The International Conference of Asian Politics (ICAP), Universal Peace Federation (UPF), International Association of Parliament for Peace (IAPP) are organising the summit with the support of Nepal Government and the Federal Parliament of Nepal.

The summit will run until December 3. A committee has been formed under the convenorship of former prime minister and Nepal Communist party (NCP) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal to facilitate the summit.

The government has taken the responsibility of security of the distinguished guests.