Iraq lawmakers extend state of emergency

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's parliament voted Wednesday to extend the country's state of emergency for 30 more days, two members of parliament said.

Lawmakers present for the closed-door meeting attended by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki voted unanimously for the extension, said legislators Ammar Touama and Kamal al-Saidi.

The state of emergency has been renewed every month since first being authorized in November 2004. It grants security forces greater powers and affects the entire country apart from the autonomous Kurdish region in the north.

The measure allows for a nighttime curfew and gives the government extra powers to make arrests without warrants and launch police and military operations when it deems necessary.

From the San Jose Mercury News