Iraqi government imposes traffic ban in Baghdad, Diyala

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