The Iraqi government imposed traffic ban in Baghdad and the volatile Diyala province on Friday to curb violence in the wake of the killing of al-Qaida leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the prime minister's office said in a statement.

The ban began at 11:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) and will end at 3:00 p.m. (1100 GMT) on Friday, the statement said.

A night curfew for traffic and people movement was also imposed in Diyala province from 8:00 p.m. (1600 GMT) to 6:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) for three days, it said.

Al-Zarqawi and seven of his aides were killed in a U.S. air raid Wednesday night.

Iraqi security forces have intensified security measures in and around the capital.

Source: Xinhua