Beiruting News

Strike up a conversation with the Clooneys and you face a $600 fine.

The power couple, who married in Venice six months ago, have taken action to discourage locals and fans from disturbing them.

The mayor of the Laglio community has posted a public notice in an attempt to protect the couple's privacy at their Lake Como properties.

The notices, which have been posted around the exclusive enclave, in which their residences reside, warn that anyone who sets foot on the grounds or disturbs the occupants faces a $600 fine.

The 53-year-old Ocean's Twelve star bought the retreat in 2002 for €7.5 million (NZ$10.8 million) and typically spends spring and summer each year there.

He and his 37-year-old wife, Amal Alamuddin, an Oxford-educated human rights barrister of Lebanese descent, are currently in New York. They also own a NZ$19.5 million dollar home in London, but are expected to arrive in Italy soon.

Before they were married last year, the mayor also enforced an exclusion zone around their Italian residence.

There were notices around the property, warning people not to linger on the road behind the house. Boats were instructed to stay at least 100 metres from the shoreline.

Despite this, his presence is largely welcomed.