USA: The National Guard will guard the Capitol until May 23

The US National Guard will guard Congress until May 23. The Capitol Police Department's request was approved by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the Pentagon said.

According to Defense Department spokesman John Kirby, the Capitol will be guarded by 2,300 National Guard personnel, which is about half of the current contingent stationed near the Congress building.

Kirby added that if circumstances permit, the presence of National Guardsmen will be reduced during this period.

Earlier, law enforcement around the US Capitol was put on high alert after authorities said intelligence had uncovered a "possible conspiracy" by the far right to storm the building for the second time in two months.