Iraq closes borders with Syria

The Iraqi government imposed emergency legislation in two predominantly Sunni Muslim provinces for the 30 days and closed the borders with Syria until further notice, the a statement said today.

The laws took effect on December 2 in the western province of Anbar and the northern province of Ninevah. Among the restrictions were a 10pm to 7am curfew and a ban on carrying weapons within three miles of the Syrian border.

The statement, issued by Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the general commander of the armed forces, said the border with Syria will be closed “until further notice” except for commercial vehicles “licensed by the Iraqi government".