Many of Iraq’s major politicians held pre-election gatherings around the country today, the last day that campaigning is permitted.

Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is in high spirits and “very optimistic” on the eve of the start of his trial for allegedly ordering the massacre of Shiite Muslims, his defence lawyer said today.

THE Iraqi government said yesterday a security cordon of 40,000 Iraqi soldiers and police will ring Baghdad starting next week in what it dubbed Operation Lightning.

The government announced today that a security cordon of 40,000 Iraqi soldiers and police will ring Baghdad starting next week to try to halt a spree of insurgent violence that has killed more than 620 people this month.

Ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein urged his compatriots to remain united against the US occupation and warned of the potential dangers of the upcoming elections, his lawyers said today.