Iraq cancels leave for all police, army personnel

BAGHDAD, Feb 23 (Reuters) Iraq has cancelled all police and army leave and extended curfew hours in Baghdad and other cities to help control sectarian violence, an interior ministry source said today.

Security personnel have been placed on the highest alert, the official said. Curfew hours were extended indefinitely in Baghdad and will now run from 2000 hrs to 0600 hrs , instead of 2300 hrs to 0500 hrs.

Reuters SHR RS1716