BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has closed Baghdad's international airport and the country's borders with Syria and Jordan, and declared a curfew in rebel- held Fallujah as US and Iraqi forces began a ground assault.

    Allawi said Baghdad's international airport will be shut down for 48 hours, and the borders with Syria and Jordan will be closed to all vehicles except those carrying food and other necessities.

    He said curfews, which begin at 6 p.m. local time in mainly Sunni Muslim cities Fallujah and nearby Ramadi, both west of Baghdad, have been imposed to ``spare the residents of Fallujah - - the decent people.''

    Early on Monday, Allawi gave his authority for Iraqi forces to spearhead an attack on Fallujah along with US-led multinational forces, and announced six measures to tackle the insurgents.

    The Iraqi interim administration and the U.S. military have pledged to bring Fallujah and other rebel areas of Iraq under government control ahead of elections planned for January.

    On Sunday, Allawi's administration declared a 60-day state of emergency across the country.

(CRIENGLISH.com)