The Iraqi government announced Thursday a traffic ban in Baghdad on Friday, in an effort to curb potential violence, reported the state TV.

The daytime curfew will last until 4 p.m. (1300 GMT) Friday, the Muslim day of prayers, a statement by the prime minister's office was quoted as saying.

The traffic ban was enforced last Sunday to curb violence after hundreds died in the bloodshed following the bombing of the Shiite holy shrine in Sammara.

Source: Xinhua