Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday afternoon left for Bali to check preparations for the implementation of the 19th ASEAN Summit and related summits.

Accompanied by First Lady Yudhoyono, the president and his entourage boarded a special presidential Airbus 330-300 which took off from Halim Perdanakusuma air force base, eastern Jakarta, at 1.30 pm local time.

The presidential entourage included Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, and Communication and Informatics Minister Tifatul Sembiring.

Upon his arrival in Bali, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi will make a presentation on the Summit preparations at around 7 pm local time.

The president is also expected to visit the venues of the summits.

Yudhoyono and his entourage will stay in Bali for two days, until November 9, 2011, and later return to Jakarta.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha had earlier said that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would go to Bali on Tuesday to inspect preparations for the 19th ASEAN Summit and other meetings associated with it.

He said the ASEAN Summit and other meetings associated with it were very important forums and therefore he wanted to make sure all the preparations were being made as expected.

President Yudhoyono visited Bali on October 23, 2011 where he received reports about preparations for the summit.

A US Air Force plane carrying logistics for the security of US President Barack Obama meanwhile arrived in Bali on Monday.

Ngurah Rai airforce base commander LT Col Jumarto confirmed the aircraft carried various logistics such as security equipment to be used in line with their presidential security standards.

The plane also carried several security personnel and presidential protocol officers in various fields.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to arrive in Bali on November 16 to attend the ASEAN Summit from November 17 -19 as an invitee.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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