Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said today he had extended for 30 days emergency laws that give his government special powers to crack down on insurgents trying to derail January 30 elections.
Emergency rule was first imposed for 60 days in November before a major assault on the rebel stronghold of Falluja.
It gives Mr Allawi special powers to impose curfews, close borders and airports and detain suspected insurgents without following normal legal procedures.
"Since terrorist gangs continue their activities to prevent the creation of a broad representative government and try to impede peaceful political participation of all Iraqis, we have decided to extend the state of emergency in all areas of Iraq except the region of Kurdistan for 30 days," Mr Allawi said in a statement.
The National Safety Law was one of the first passed by the government after it took over sovereignty from the US-led occupation authority on June 28, but it was not put into effect until November.
Emergency rule can be extended with the written approval of Allawi and a presidential council at 30-day intervals.