Armed man tries to enter Brazil's stock exchange

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Nov 24 (Reuters) An armed man tried to enter Brazil's stock exchange today but was detained by security personnel and police, officials said.

Trading operations were not impacted though workers were prevented from entering or leaving the building, officials at the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange said.

''A guy arrived at the entrance of the exchange, refused to identify himself and tried to force his way in, saying he was armed,'' said Izalco Sardenberg, an aide to the bourse's president.

Local TV showed police vehicles in front of the bourse and said the man was held inside a police car.

A police spokesman said the man ''with a bomb supposedly wrapped around his body'' had threatened people on the street in front of the exchange.

Reuters DH VP0147