Baghdad Bans Some Street Parking

A soldier stands guard at the site of one of the dozens of car bombings in Baghdad last year (file photo) (epa) February 25, 2007 -- Baghdad motorists were banned today from parking on any of the Iraqi capital's main streets in order to prevent car bombs and to allow for the free movement of military forces.

Baghdad Operation Command, which is overseeing a major security sweep by Iraqi and U.S. forces to quell sectarian violence in the capital, warned in a statement that those ignoring the law will have their cars confiscated.

They also face prosecution under antiterrorism laws.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has praised the results of the crackdown in the city, saying hundreds of insurgents have been either killed or captured and that there has been less violence.

(Reuters)