BAGHDAD, Dec. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Iraq's government announced on Sunday rigorous security measures during the coming parliamentary elections, including imposing curfews and closing borders and airports.

    The government extended the hours of the daily curfew, which will run from 10:00 p.m. (1900 GMT) until 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) during the period of Dec. 13-17, an Interior Ministry official told reporters at a news conference attended by Interior Minister Baqer Jabur Solagh.

    The measures will also ban vehicles on the streets in the cities from 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Wednesday to 6:00 (0300 GMT) a.m. on Saturday, except those with special permits, the official said.

    Under the new restrictions, the Iraqi borders and airports will be closed from midnight (2100 GMT) Wednesday to 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) Friday, he said.

    Iraqis will head to ballot boxes on Dec. 15 to elect their representatives in the legislation council which will form a new 4-year-term government. Enditem