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The Ministry of Interior said in a statement it was taking the "exceptional measure" to block terrorist cells from potentially entering the country during the talks, which take place in Taormina, Sicily on May 26 and 27.

Borders, ports and airports will introduce tighter controls, the ministry said, while security will be strengthened in areas outside of the city that are hosting seven heads of state from the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Passport checks will be reintroduced for flghts and ferries entering the country from other Schengen nations for one month, according to Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano