Basra imposes night-time curfew

Troops will stop vehicles coming in from neighbouring provinces

Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in the southern Iraqi city of Basra amid reports of growing lawlessness among Shia militias.

The curfew will run from 2200 to 0600 until further notice, the commander for security in southern Iraq said.

Classes at schools and universities have also been suspended from Tuesday until Thursday.

The moves come after visiting PM Nouri Maliki accused "inside and outside parties" of acts of creating unrest.

British forces handed over control of Basra to the Iraqis last December.

The curfew prohibits the movement of people and vehicles overnight.

Officials said vehicles from neighbouring provinces would also be prevented from entering Basra for three days this week.

'Turf war'

Mr Maliki, who visited on Monday, said the government had "decided to re-impose security, stability and law" in Basra.

The city is a stronghold of the Mehdi Army, a militia loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, but there are reports of a turf war with other Shia groups.

Mr Sadr called a ceasefire with government and US forces last August.

However, there have been a number of assassinations and kidnappings since then.

The city is the centre of a lucrative oil market.