BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government on Tuesday launched a plan to secure a capital descending deeper into chaos, even as violence claimed the lives of more Iraqis, including people waiting in line for food handouts.
Lt. Gen. Abud Qanbar, the former naval officer appointed by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to oversee the much-vaunted Baghdad security plan, announced a 72-hour closure of some border crossings along the Iranian and Syrian frontiers, restrictions on civil liberties, and the suspension of all weapons licenses except for those issued to authorized security officials and contractors.
"Legal procedures will be taken and strict penalties will be imposed against all those who violate the rules," Qanbar said, reading from a lengthy statement broadcast over state television.
It was unclear how some of the security provisions differed from measures already in place. Observers questioned why Maliki left the announcement to a surrogate. The prime minister spent much of the day visiting a university in the city of Hillah, about 60 miles south of the capital.
The plan includes a tightening of the few remaining liberties left for Iraqis in the jittery capital, including an earlier nighttime curfew and closer scrutiny of packages, mail and electronic communications. It imposes unspecified restrictions on gatherings in public places, clubs, companies and organizations "in order to protect citizens and those working in these places."
The plan's supporters defended the restrictive elements as necessary.
"The government has a right to take any procedure to provide security for the people," said Qusai Abdul-Wahab, a Shiite Muslim lawmaker loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Sadr. "People are demanding security first and last."
Under the plan, Qanbar said, his commanders will be authorized to interrogate and arrest all individuals, inspect private property and seize any weapons, presumably without seeking the approval of courts or political leaders. It wasn't clear whether the new provisions changed the existing rules, which allow each Iraqi family to keep one weapon at home.
The plan calls for restrictions on the movements of vehicles and individuals as well as for surprise sweeps of roadways, Qanbar said. It includes tougher laws for those who commit violence or harbor alleged terrorists and special court sessions to speed up trials.
