Increased security measures in Europe for Christmas

Throughout Europe during the Christmas and New Year holidays, security measures were increased due to potential terrorist threats, especially after this week's attack in Berlin.

In France, 91.000 policemen, gendarmes and soldiers will be in charge of security in public places, including churches and fairs.

"The threat is strong, but our response has never been stronger," French Interior Minister Bruno le Roux said.

More than 230 people were killed in Islamist attacks in that country in the last two years, and a state of emergency has been in effect for more than a year.

In Italy and the Vatican, security measures have been raised to the highest level.

Rome officials have banned vehicles from entering the city center, and anti-terrorist police wear masks and carry machine guns.

In the Vatican, where Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate the evening Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, police and military vehicles are securing access to the church within 100 meters.

In Milan and other cities as well, security measures have been stepped up, especially around religious buildings, especially in the vicinity of churches.

In Belgium, which has repeatedly been the target of terrorist attacks, the security level has been raised due to the threat of a "possible or probable" attack, reports AFP.

Streets outside Buckingham Palace in London will be closed during the changing of the guard, a measure introduced after a truck attack at a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12 people, London police said on Wednesday.

The police added that some other security measures are being considered because it is estimated that a terrorist attack is very possible, and security measures have been strengthened in Manchester as well.

Hungary has also increased security measures in places where large numbers of citizens gather, such as Christmas markets in squares, and Austria has done the same.

In order to protect against terrorist attacks, such as the one in Berlin, Russia has introduced extraordinary security measures.

Moscow police announced earlier that they would use trucks to block off parts of the city where festive public gatherings take place.

After the attack in Berlin, security measures were increased in the Balkans as well.