South Africa has reinforced the police presence in the KwaZulu-Natal port city of Durban as Commonwealth heads of government began arriving at Durban International Airport on November 11 to attend the four-day summit starting from November 12.

Some 2,300 police are patrolling in the street, especially in the areas around the meeting venue.

Durban is suffering from serious crimes of murder, robbery and rape. Visitors are advised not to walk on the street alone.

The airport, located at the coast and decorated with 54 national flags of the Commonwealth member states, will welcome some 4,000 delegates and 700 reporters from all over the world.

So far, there is no official information about how many heads of states will attend the meeting.

It is reported that the military rulers of Pakistan, which was last month suspended from the Commonwealth, have charged deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with treason and kidnapping.

The official Commonwealth "Who's Who" for the Durban summit highlights Pakistan's status.

Wedged between details of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Papua New Guinea's leader Mekere Morauta, a blank page makes Pakistan's status clear.

"Pakistan will not be represented at the meeting," said local media in Durban.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will meet here later Thursday to discuss the Pakistan issue and whether to recommend to the summit that the country be expelled.

British Queen Elizabeth II, also the symbol head of the Commonwealth, arrived in South Africa Tuesday for an official visit to the country which is one of the five founding members of the organization.

The queen is expected to officially open the biennial event on Friday morning.