IRAQ: DEMOCRACY

Reuters: Iraqi police threaten to arrest reporters in Najaf

NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iraqi police brandishing rifles threatened to arrest journalists unless they left Najaf on Sunday, raising fears among local reporters they were attempting to impose a news blackout on the holy city.

At least 20 reporters had travelled to the southern Iraqi town, where Shi'ite militiamen fought fierce battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces, after the collapse of peace talks aimed at ending fighting that has killed hundreds.

Najaf police chief Ghaleb al-Jazaeri told a news conference all media should leave by noon (0800 GMT), saying he would not be able to guarantee their safety after the deadline passed.

KCTV5: Iraqi government evicts reporters from Najaf as fighting continues

Iraq As fighting resumes between U-S forces and Shiite militants, Iraqi police have ordered all journalists to leave the holy city of Najaf.

The order doesn't specify consequences of violating the request. But journalists say the police told them any reporters remaining would be arrested.

Police also told them cameras and cell phones would be confiscated -- and that all cars coming into the city will be searched.

The ban would mean the only news coverage of the ongoing fighting in Najaf would come from reporters embedded with the U-S military.