BAGHDAD, Nov. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Iraqi authorities will impose a nighttime curfew on capital Baghdad and its surrounding areas from Tuesday, Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's office announced.

    "By the authority given to us by the emergency law, we decided to impose a curfew on Baghdad and its outskirts from 10:30 p.m. (1930 GMT) to 4 a.m. (0100 GMT) starting Tuesday Nov. 9, 2004 until further notice," the office said in a statement.

    The decision was made against the backdrop that the US forces on Monday night started an all-out offensive against the rebel-held city of Fallujah, only 50 km west of Baghdad. Enditem¡¡