BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) - Iraq's interim government unveiled a security plan for election day, as the discovery of 18 executed Iraqis on roadsides across the country underscored the insurgency's ability to plunge the vote into chaos.

Meanwhile, a US soldier was also killed yesterday, while five Iraqi soldiers and a policeman were gunned down in a string of ambushes across northern Iraq. Thirteen corpses were discovered near Latifiyah, a rebel stronghold south of Baghdad which the US-led multinational forces swept less than two months ago, witnesses said.

It appeared most of the victims had been shot at close range but residents were afraid to alert police for fear of insurgent reprisals in the stretch of lush farmland where some are still faithful to detained dictator Saddam Hussein, said local Abdul Saleh Ithawi.

The bodies of four Iraqis working for a foreign company were discovered near Kut, a city southeast of Baghdad, police said. The US military also retrieved the body of an executed Iraqi from a river north of Baghdad.

Insurgents have been imposing their rule on several areas across Iraq and carrying out a campaign of intimidation among the population.

Fears that a major spate of attacks will wreck the milestone general elections on January 30, have prompted US and Iraqi forces to take special measures to prevent a bloodbath.

The government will declare a holiday for the January 30 vote and impose tight restrictions on movement, including a total ban on vehicles around polling stations, said State Minister for the Governorates Wael Abdul Latif.

"Polling stations will be well safeguarded - no vehicles will be allowed anywhere near and there will be restrictions on traffic," he said.

"There will be separate body searches for men and women."
Abdul Latif said vehicle travel will be limited between the provinces and inside each region, even among Baghdad's different neighbourhoods.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World