Iraq captures 'top Zarqawi ally'

Sami Mohammad Ali Said al-Jaaf, also known as Abu Omar al-Kurdi, is accused of many bombings, including a blast at the UN headquarters in Baghdad in 2003.

The arrest was reportedly made on 15 January, but not immediately revealed.

A BBC correspondent says one government source played down the significance of the announcement, noting the timing.

Hours earlier, at least 10 people were injured in a suicide bomb in Baghdad, close to interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party offices.

The blast was claimed by Zarqawi supporters in a statement on an Islamist website.

'Major attacks'

The Iraqi government is labelling the arrest of Abu Omar al-Kurdi as a significant victory ahead of Sunday's election.

A government statement said the suspect is accused of building about 32 car bombs since the US-led invasion, including three major attacks in August 2003:

• The deadly bombing at the UN headquarters which killed the top UN envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 others
• A bombing at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad which killed 11 people
• The car bomb at a shrine in the city of Najaf which killed more than 85 people including Shia Muslim leader Ayatollah Muhammad Baqr al-Hakim.

He is also accused of building the car bomb that killed the head of the now-defunct Iraqi Governing Council, Ezzedine Salim, last May.

The government also announced the arrest of a man described as Zarqawi's propaganda chief.

Zarqawi - who tops Iraq's most wanted list - has apparently declared war on Iraq's election.

RECENT INSURGENT ATTACKS

• 21 Jan: At least 25 people die in suicide car bombings of a Baghdad mosque and a Shia wedding party
• 19 Jan: US military officials say 26 people die in a series of Baghdad car bombs
• 17 Jan: At least 16 people die in attacks on security services in northern and central Iraq
• 11 Jan: At least 15 people die in attacks across Iraq

Will the poll be a success?

An audio message released on the internet at the weekend, purportedly from the Jordanian-born militant, called on Sunni Muslims to fight against the vote.

Insurgent attacks across the country have made campaigning virtually impossible.

Even the locations of the polling stations will not be announced until the night before the vote, and the massive logistical operation of getting ballot boxes and papers in place will be carried out in secrecy.

The interim government has announced sweeping security measures to protect voters, including extended curfews, traffic restrictions, and shutting Iraq's borders for three days around the poll.

Extra security measures have been announced in Najaf, including the barring of all non-residents from the city for a five-day period.

Chalabi row

In a separate development, Mr Allawi has distanced his government from a row between the Defence Minister, Hazim al-Shalaan, and the leader of the Iraqi National Congress party, Ahmad Chalabi.

Mr Allawi said threats by the defence minister to arrest Mr Chalabi for defamation were unfortunate and not the position of the government.

Mr Chalabi had alleged financial wrong-doing by the defence ministry involving millions of dollars.

Mr Allawi called on both men, who are election candidates, to stop arguing.