NICOSIA, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Security has been stepped up in Cyprus' Larnaca Airport on the even of Athens Olympic Games, local press reported on Sunday.

    Larnaca international airport is one of several in the region that European security forces are keeping a close watch on during the Athens Olympics, as they believe any threat is more likely to come when athletes are in transit to and from the Greek capital.

    Meanwhile, reports from Greece said European security sources have confirmed that a stepped-up security operation at key European airports has been launched to prevent possible terrorist attempts on athletes travelling to Athens.

    Extra security involving anti-terrorist experts from several European countries has been mounted at Rome and Larnaca airports. Sources said London Heathrow was also under high alert. American intelligence services are also involved, the reports said.

    "The most likely danger is not Athens. The Athens Olympics will probably be the safest Games in Olympic history. The biggest danger comes from transit airports," one security source was quoted as saying.

    It said the biggest threat comes from Larnaca and Rome airports,through which hundreds of athletes are expected to pass.

    The British team are among several that are using Cyprus as a training base before flying out from Larnaca to go to Athens. "These airports are a very potential target of terrorist," a sourcesaid.

    However, Lazaros Savvides, Permanent Secretary of the Cyprus Justice Ministry said Larnaca Airport was not a security risk.

    "We do not have any information concerning a particular threat," he said. "We have increased security at both airports in Cyprus as the Olympics approach. This is part of a plan agreed months ago.Cyprus police are aware of what is happening and its part of the normal approach to any event of this magnitude." Enditem