Luigi Brugnaro claims the Italian tourist hotspot is safer than Barcelona - where 14 people died being run down by a terrorist - saying that 'in contrast, we keep our guard up'

Venice's right-wing mayor has ordered cops to shoot ANYONE who shouts 'Allahu Akbar' - rather than risk a terror attack .

The phrase in Arabic for 'God is greatest' has been shouted in multiple terrorist incidents across the continent.

The Times reports that Italian mayor Luigi Brugnaro claimed that his city Venice was safer than Barcelona - where 14 people died being run down by a van last week.

Speaking at a conference in Rimini, north east Italy, he further revealed the extraordinary order he has given to armed police at one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe.

Brugnaro was applauded by delegates when he said: “In contrast with Barcelona, where they had not set up protection, we keep our guard up.

“If anyone runs into St Mark’s Square shouting ‘Allahu Akhbar’, we will take him down.

"A year ago I said within four paces, now within three. I will say it in Venetian: ‘Ghe Sparemo’ (We will shoot him)."

He went on to recall the arrest in March of four suspected jihadists who allegedly planned to kill hundreds of tourist by blowing up the world famous Rialto bridge.

He added: "They wanted to go to Allah. But we'll send them straight to Allah before they can do any damage."

His comments were ridiculed by a fellow mayor who ran up to him shouting: "Allahu Akbar!"

Venice is a tourist hotspot - and the mayor is taking a firm line

Mr Nardella said: "I apologise for some comments in an online video. It was not my intention to offend anyone, not least the Muslim community, nor to joke about their religion or neither to reference the tragic events of our times.

"In fact, during that video, I distance myself from the statement (made) by my colleague Brugnaro about Muslims during his speech at the Rimini meeting."

Last night Luigi Brugnaro added: "I have never been politically correct, in fact I am politically correct and that’s why we also need a naval blockade against people coming into Italy from north Africa

The phrase is first believed to have been used by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century before going into battle.

It first resurfaced in connection with modern atrocities in notes made by the 9/11 ringleader Mohamed Atta found after the attack on the World Trade Center.

He wrote: “Shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.”

The phrase was used as inspiration by the killers of Lee Rigby in London and witnesses reported hearing the attackers at the Bataclan in Paris shouting out the phrase.

Poster Comment:

Islam is not terrorism"? If that were true why do they need to keep reminding us?

If this mayor is a right-winger then America and the world needs more mayors like this one. Those shouting allahu akbar should be shot down like a rabid dog as well as those who riot and loot.