SYDNEY, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- International security personnel guarding visiting dignitaries at the upcoming APEC leader's meeting have been given pre-authorized powers to deal with an imminent threat, Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Minister Responsible for APEC has said.

Passed through PNG's parliament back in April, the "sunset clause" of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Security Act, will be in effect on Nov. 9-19 and allow foreign security forces to use "lethal force" if required.

"This means ... if you want to do something ridiculous or stupid, security personal will retaliate if necessary," Justin Tkatchenko was quoted by local PNG media on Tuesday.

"If a leader is threatened by someone trying to attack they can be shot," he said.

"You pull out a gun on a leader, it's a straight-forward situation, they (international security personnel) have a right to protect their leader and they will use whatever force they have to do so," he added.

"Anybody who wants to think about or even consider doing a terrorist act, harm or anything of criminal nature or anything stupid they will be dealt with not only under our governing laws but under the new Security Act for APEC for these 10 days in the lead-up to the APEC leaders' meeting," he added. Enditem