Security tight as elections begin in Iraq

Published on Saturday 31 January 2009 09:59

IRAQ imposed a nationwide security lockdown as voting began today in key regional elections. Blanket measures not seen since the deadliest years of the insurgency were imposed, underscoring the high stakes for Iraqi leaders desperate to portray stability after nearly six years of conflict.

Although violence is sharply down – and pre-election attacks have been relatively limited – authorities were unwilling to take any risks. They ordered cars off city streets, sealed borders and closed airports.