This is the dramatic moment armed police working undercover swooped on suspects just a stone’s throw from Cop26 – minutes before Barack Obama’s arrival at the SEC Blue Zone.
The incident took place in Glasgow’s Finnieston district close to where Barack Obama turned up to speak to delegates after flying into the city late on Sunday night.
Several vehicles blocked off the two suspects who were driving a dark coloured Volkswagen car.
More than half-a-dozen plain clothes officers, some carrying assault rifles and covering their faces with masks were on the scene as the men were dragged from the car and thrown to the ground face down.
The drama unfolded just off the city’s St Vincent Street at around 11.15am this morning, minutes before the former US president arrived at the Blue Zone at the SEC, where world leaders and delegates hold meetings.
Obama was joined by John Kerry, the US climate envoy, as he made his way to give a speech at 11.30am, less than 15 minutes later.
Eyewitnesses told of their shock as the operation took place at the junction at Breadalbane St and St Vincent St, in Finnieston.
They told how police ordered them to get back from the scene as they carried out their duties.
Eileen Gordon, 29, a shop worker, said: "It happened that quick. It was rapid.
"There was no messing about. Cars came from everywhere.
"Several cars surrounded the Volkswagen and the driver was pulled out of the car. He had assault rifles aimed at him."
A construction worker told how his colleagues were also ordered to keep clear.
He said: ‘The noise was deafening. They were shouting and that probably disoriented the two men.
"Fair play to the police. They did well.
"The car was left across the road before a truck came to impound it.
"The police did their job. They’re here to make sure Cop26 goes ahead without incident."
Another onlooker said: "This has been a busy road, especially this past week.
"The police presence is high so whatever these guys were up to, they were up to no good.
"It was too much excitement for a wet Monday morning but thank goodness the police were super efficient and nobody was hurt.
"There are workmen in the area and they were trying to get a look but the police told them to get back.
"It happened in no time and the noise.
"They were all shouting which must be a tactic to confuse them.
"They took a lot of interest in what was in the car and seemed to carry out a thorough search.
Construction worker James Grant, 24, said: "One of the scaffolders saw the black unmarked cars come in at speed.
"They must have followed them to the junction and then there was another change of gear as they sprung into action.
"Fortunately they didn’t need to use their weapons but seeing half a dozen people with assault rifles shouting at you was quite frightening.
"The police have been on high alert for weeks. This looked very serious because they were armed and the men they arrested didn’t seem frightened, more determined than anything.
"I’d hate for a terror attack to happen in this city.
" Glaswegians just want Cop26 to be a success without incident."
The former US President delivered a keynote address at 2pm where he called call for governments to step up and deliver real change to tackle the climate crisis.
Speaking today as COP26 enters its second week, he said not enough has been done to combat climate change and called for united action.
He said: "In many ways, islands are the canary in the coalmine in this situation.
"They are sending a message now that if we don’t act then it’s going to be too late."
He added: "All of us have a part to play, all of us have work to do and all of us have sacrifices to make.
“Those of us who live in big, wealthy nations, those of us who helped to precipitate the problem, we have an added burden to make sure that we are working with and helping and assisting those who are less responsible and less able, but are more vulnerable to this oncoming crisis."
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
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