Martial Law in Central Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The interior minister announced a 24-hour ban on all vehicular movements in Baghdad and its suburbs starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, in an effort contain sectarian violence following the bombing of a Shiite shrine three days ago in Samarra. Interior Minister Bayan Jabr made the announcement during a press conference Saturday broadcast live by government television. The announcement came on athesecond straight day of a daylight curfew in Baghdad and three surrounding provinces. Jabr said the daytime curfew will be lifted in the three provinces but said "there will be a ban on all vehicles inside Baghdad and its outskirts starting on Sunday Feb. 26, 2006 at 6 in the morning until 6 in the morning the following day."