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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Iraq unveils new security plans | Iraq unveils new security plans |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Iraq says it will close its border crossings with Iran and Syria for three days as part of its new security plan for the capital, Baghdad. | Iraq says it will close its border crossings with Iran and Syria for three days as part of its new security plan for the capital, Baghdad. |
| Top commander Lt Gen Abboud Gambar used a live TV address to unveil the plan which also extends the Baghdad curfew. | Top commander Lt Gen Abboud Gambar used a live TV address to unveil the plan which also extends the Baghdad curfew. |
| The US-backed security drive is now being debated in the US Congress. | The US-backed security drive is now being debated in the US Congress. |
| Gen Gambar is in charge of a plan that will divide Baghdad into 10 security districts in an attempt to drive out insurgents and illegal militias. | Gen Gambar is in charge of a plan that will divide Baghdad into 10 security districts in an attempt to drive out insurgents and illegal militias. |
| Meanwhile radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has gone to Iran, fearing he might be targeted in the new security push, US officials have said. | |
| Mr Sadr went to Tehran by car several weeks ago, officials are reported as saying. | |
| The officials said they did not believe Mr Sadr, who leads the Mehdi Army militia, had left Iraq for good. | |
| Sweeping powers | Sweeping powers |
| Thousands of extra US troops are heading to the Iraqi capital to bolster Iraqi forces in the new security "surge". | Thousands of extra US troops are heading to the Iraqi capital to bolster Iraqi forces in the new security "surge". |
| US President George W Bush is committed to sending 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, but he faces strong opposition in the Democrat-led Congress. | US President George W Bush is committed to sending 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, but he faces strong opposition in the Democrat-led Congress. |
| Iraq-Syria border: 605km (378 miles). Crossings to close: Rabi'ah and al-WalidIraq-Iran border: 1,458km (906 miles). Crossings to close: Al-Shalamijah, Zurbatiyah, Hajj Umran, and Bishmaqh | Iraq-Syria border: 605km (378 miles). Crossings to close: Rabi'ah and al-WalidIraq-Iran border: 1,458km (906 miles). Crossings to close: Al-Shalamijah, Zurbatiyah, Hajj Umran, and Bishmaqh |
| Gen Gambar, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, did not say when the border points would close. | Gen Gambar, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, did not say when the border points would close. |
| Officials told the BBC the curfew in Baghdad would be extended by one hour, starting at 2000 local time (1700 GMT) instead of 2100, and continuing to 0600. | Officials told the BBC the curfew in Baghdad would be extended by one hour, starting at 2000 local time (1700 GMT) instead of 2100, and continuing to 0600. |
| Officials also said that after the 72-hour border closure, the crossing points with Iran would only be partially reopened. | Officials also said that after the 72-hour border closure, the crossing points with Iran would only be partially reopened. |
| Gen Gambar said the new plan would give him sweeping emergency powers, combining the command of the police and armed forces. | Gen Gambar said the new plan would give him sweeping emergency powers, combining the command of the police and armed forces. |
| Weapons permits would be restricted to the Iraqi and US military. | Weapons permits would be restricted to the Iraqi and US military. |
| Van attack | Van attack |
| The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says the Iraqis want to be seen taking the lead on the security drive but a lot of questions have been left unanswered and a lot of scepticism remains. | The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says the Iraqis want to be seen taking the lead on the security drive but a lot of questions have been left unanswered and a lot of scepticism remains. |
| Lt Gen Abboud Gambar is in charge of the new security plan | Lt Gen Abboud Gambar is in charge of the new security plan |
| The border move comes amid claims by the US that Iran is supplying militias with sophisticated weapons to attack US troops. Tehran rejects the accusation. | The border move comes amid claims by the US that Iran is supplying militias with sophisticated weapons to attack US troops. Tehran rejects the accusation. |
| Correspondents say it is unclear how the border closure will be effective as the frontiers are long, porous and often barely guarded. | Correspondents say it is unclear how the border closure will be effective as the frontiers are long, porous and often barely guarded. |
| Violence continued in Iraq on Tuesday despite the new security plans. | Violence continued in Iraq on Tuesday despite the new security plans. |
| A van crammed with explosives detonated near a college in western Baghdad, killing at least 16 people and injuring 45. | A van crammed with explosives detonated near a college in western Baghdad, killing at least 16 people and injuring 45. |
| The attack is the latest in a string of deadly incidents in Baghdad. | The attack is the latest in a string of deadly incidents in Baghdad. |
| On Monday a series of car bombs in markets in the centre of the capital killed at least 76 people and wounded 164. | On Monday a series of car bombs in markets in the centre of the capital killed at least 76 people and wounded 164. |