SOME came on crutches, others walked for miles then struggled to read the ballot, but across most of Iraq millions turned out to vote yesterday, defying insurgent threats of a bloodbath.

US aircraft blasted the rebel stronghold of Fallujah three times in 24 hours over the weekend in a concerted effort to hit militants loyal to guerrilla chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

IRAQ’S interim government vowed yesterday to restore the death penalty and take a “sharp sword” to insurgents, but also promised an amnesty to any rebels who stop fighting.