Iraq has extended emergency laws to crack down on insurgents for a further 30 days, a governmnent statement said on Saturday, a day before a landmark election. Emergency rule was first imposed for 60 days in November ahead of a major assault on the rebel stronghold of Falluja, and has now been renewed twice. It includes special powers to impose curfews and to close borders and airports if necessary, and to detain suspected insurgents without following normal legal procedures. Between Jan. 28 and Jan. 31, Iraq has imposed special security measures that include extended curfews, travel restrictions and the closing of land borders and Baghdad's airport, to try to safeguard Sunday's poll.
