Iraqi police, army and counter-terrorism forces were deployed in unusually high numbers across strategic locations in Baghdad overnight, security sources said today.
"There is a huge security presence, police and army, especially around the Green Zone," the highly-protected district that houses Iraq's key institutions, a high-ranking police officer said.
He said the deployment started at around 10:30 pm (1930 GMT), just 90 minutes before Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced on state television he would file a complaint against the president for violating the constitution.
"There is security everywhere in Baghdad, these are very unusual measures that look like those we impose for a state of
"Several streets have been closed... As well as some key bridges," said an official at the interior ministry. "It's all linked to the political situation.
