The president a fervent Christian, landed by helicopter and then was whisked to the church in a motorcade through streets deserted as part of a massive security operation.
BETHLEHEM: US President George W Bush came to a deserted Bethlehem on Thursday to pray at the traditional birthplace of Jesus, the first stop on a pilgrimage to some of Christianity's holiest sites.
The president -- a fervent Christian, landed by helicopter and then was whisked to the church in a motorcade through streets deserted as part of a massive security operation aimed at protecting the American leader.
Thousands of Palestinian security forces fanned out across the town in the occupied West Bank, shutting off all major roads to the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born in a stable.
Snipers patrolled the roof of the church near a hanging plastic Santa Claus, as well as nearby buildings.
But Bush's visit to the West Bank -- only the second one to the Palestinian territories by a sitting US president -- failed to impress the locals.
"He comes here, they close all the shops, they don't let us work," said Alaa, a 26-year-old Christian who works at a restaurant near Manger Square in front of the church and who was sent home ahead of the president's arrival.
Elite Palestinian presidential guards used metal barriers to push small groups of onlookers back up the streets leading to the empty square as helicopters buzzed overhead and commandos stood guard on surrounding rooftops.
Amid the massive security operation, few Bethlehem residents will even catch a glimpse of the president, widely unpopular among Palestinians because of his perceived overwhelming support of Washington's main ally Israel.
"They brought 3,000 dogs to sniff for explosives. They closed all the shops. What is he so afraid of? World leaders come here all the time," said Rami, a Christian shop owner.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}