BRASILIA, Nov. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush arrived here Saturday to hold talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on bilateral relations.

    This is the first visit to the South American country by the US leader since he took office in 2001.

    Bush, who is accompanied by his wife, Laura, came here from Mardel Plata, Argentina, where he attended the Summit of the Americas.

    During the brief visit of less than 24 hours, Bush is to talk with Lula on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern, Brazil's Foreign Ministry said. A joint statement will be issued after the talks, it said.

    Both sides hoped to strengthen their cooperation in such fieldsas technology, education, environmental protection and health, the ministry said.

    Opponents of US policies, including unions, student organizations, farmers' organizations and left-wing parties, held protests against the US leader in Brazil's major cities on Friday.

    They burned US flags and Bush's pictures in front of the US Embassy in Brazil and chanted slogans calling Bush "terrorist" or "murderer."

    Organizers said the protests will continue on Sunday.

    The Brazilian government has launched a major security operations toensure the safety of the US leader during his visit in Brazil. Security is especially tight at the hotel where he is staying and the places he is to pass by. A Red Alert was issued for the airspace of the capital.

    The United States is the biggest trading partner of Brazil, getting one-fifth of the latter's exports. Bilateral trade stood at 31 billion US dollars last year.

    The United States has a total investment of 34 billion dollars in Brazil, making it the biggest beneficiary of US investments among South American countries. Enditem