LONDON, Jan. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The British government on Monday warned its citizens against all travel to Baghdad and five adjacent provinces amid increased security concerns in the run-up to the Jan. 30 elections in the country.

    "We advise against all travel to Baghdad and the adjacent provinces of Anbar, Salaheddin, Diyala, Wasit and Babil. We adviseall but essential travel to all other parts of Iraq," the British Foreign Office said in a statement on its website.

    "We urge all British nationals in Iraq to consider whether their presence in Iraq is essential at this time. Even essential travel to Iraq should be delayed, if possible," the statement said.

    "The security situation is dangerous. There continue to be widespread outbreaks of violence and kidnappings of foreign nationals," the statement added."The threat to British nationals remains high."

    It also stressed that "there is likely to be an increase in thenumber of attacks in the period before and during elections, due to be held on Jan. 30." Enditem