The Brazilian government on Sunday sent a 500-strong federal police force to Rio de Janeiro state to help the local government quell a wave of gang violence, Agencia Brazil news agency reported.

The report said that the police were part of the country's National Security Force and they would launch raids and carry out strict security measures from Monday.

The second-largest and famous resort city has seen a wave of violence since late December, when gang members attacked police stations and burned buses, killing at least 25.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who started his second four-year term on Jan. 1, sent federal police to the state to fight the violence at the request of the local government.

The action came ahead of a summit of South American leaders, next month's Carnival celebrations and the Pan American Games in July.

Local media reported that over the coming months, the number of federal police patrolling Rio could reach around 6,000.

According to the country's constitution, the state governments are responsible for public security and can request federal help if necessary.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2007)