Members of the local paramilitary force are everywhere, sullenly guarding embassies and checkpoints.

These locally fabricated armored vehicles are used to guard tourist bus caravans as well as mobile checkpoints.

They guard checkpoints and the President's house and some archeological excavations, and every so often one of them boards an intercity bus to give passengers and luggage a once-over.

Protesters threw stones at Israeli soldiers guarding checkpoints in East Jerusalem who then fired rubber bullets and tear gas in response.

In Operation Iraqi Freedom female Marines have played a prominent role guarding checkpoints and searching Iraqi women and children.

This has required a huge deployment of soldiers - the number is secret - to guard checkpoints between areas of Israeli and Palestinian control and to patrol the perimeters of settlements.

Since the current conflict began 27 months ago, many have had to guard checkpoints and settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, or fight in Palestinian cities.

I will watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on DVD, while other marines guard checkpoints.

The army said its men guarding such checkpoints here and elsewhere were on high alert.

Outside the parlor, the Mexican Army guarded the area and established checkpoints in the nearby streets.