Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Sunday banned official convoys from the streets in a bid to ease traffic congestion, but with three exceptions -- including his own motorcade. A government statement said the only official convoys that will be tolerated will be those of the prime minister, president and speaker of parliament. It also said security forces escorting officials "are ...

Two Iraqi army officers, including a member of the presidential protection unit, were behind a Baghdad bank heist earlier this week that left eight guards dead, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Spokesman Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said three people had been arrested and that security forces were hunting other suspects after Tuesday's 4.8-billion-dinar (3.8 million ...

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - As the armored car carrying Westerners cut to the front of the line at a checkpoint into Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone, an enraged Iraqi leapt from his BMW and yelled at the occupants. "Do that again and I'll call General Farouk. He'll take all your cards," the man shouted, before returning to his car. He ...

Iraqis whose ears have been battered by years of explosions, gunfire and rocket attacks can rest a little easier -- the government has banned the nerve-wracking sirens so loved by security convoys. "Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki decided to take harsh measures against the convoys of government officials who disturb the people by firing in the air or driving against traffic," the ...