Iraq PM imposes state of emergency in Basra

PM Nuri al-Maliki has declared a month-long state of emergency in Basra in response to the violence plaguing the country's main southern city.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday declared a month-long state of emergency in Basra in response to the violence plaguing the country's main southern city.

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"We are announcing this broad security mobilisation for the next month and we hope through these negotiations we will gain control of this crisis," Maliki told a press conference during a visit to Basra.

Maliki and Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi led a delegation of politicians to Basra to meet with local civilian and security leaders in the city plagued by unrest for the past few weeks that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people.