Iraq PM declares state of emergency in Basra

BASRA, Iraq, May 31 (Reuters) Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today declared a state of emergency for a month in oil-rich Basra which is in the grip of a power struggle between Shi'ite factions.

''We hope after this month that we will come back to Basra and see that the situation has improved a lot,'' Maliki told reporters in Iraq's second city after announcing the measure.

REUTERS SHB PM1907