CARACAS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's interior and defense ministers will design the security plans for the nine cities in soccer's 2007 Copa America, Adelis Chavez, the deputy president of the organizing committee in the eastern state of Barinas told media on Monday.

    He said the there would be two security systems used at the Copa, the 42nd edition of the contest.

    The first will take care of the stadiums, while the second will cover the host cities: San Cristobal, Maracaibo, Caracas, Barquisimeto, Puerto Ordaz, Merida, Puerto La Cruz, Maturin and Barinas. The operation will also protect the teams, he said.

    The army, the reserves, the National Guard, municipal and state police forces, fire brigades and civil protection and disaster prevention officers will all take part, he said.

    Venezuela will host the event for the first time ever from June26 to July 15.