U.S. President Barack Obama, along with First Lady Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha, arrive in Belfast Northern Ireland early Monday morning.

The president along with leaders from the U.K, Japan, Canada, Russia, Germany, France and Italy will attend the G8 summit where Syria is expected to dominate discussions.

The venue for the meeting- a luxury golf resort- has been heavily fortified.

Police hope a three meter high fence plus rows of barbed wire will help keep any demonstrations at bay.

In Belfast, security has been stepped up with additional police officers lining the streets.

More than 3500 police have been sent from the British mainland to reinforce the 4400 from Northern Ireland.