Iraqi Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi speaks at a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 8, 2004. Allawi announced that he had authorized US-led troops for an assault on Fallujah, and also announced a curfew in cities of Fallujah and Ramadi since 6 p.m. on Nov.8. (Xinhua photo)

US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Richard Myers hold a press conference at the Pentagon,  November 8, 2004. Rumsfeld said he did not foresee large numbers of civilian deaths during the US-led assault to take the rebel-held city of Falluja. (Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

The interim Iraqi government declared a state of emergency for 60 days on Sunday, spokesman for Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said.

Thair Hassan al-Naqeeb announced at a press conference that the state of emergency would apply to all of Iraq except the Kurdish north as the US and Iraqi forces prepare for an all-out assault on insurgents in Fallujah.

More details about how the emergency law would be applied will be announced Monday, Naqeeb added.

He attributed the announcement of the state of emergency to the deterioration of security in the country, but declined to say whether it signaled an imminent major offensive on the insurgent-held city of Fallujah, 50 km west of Baghdad.

Naqeeb said the government was committed to restoring order so that Iraq could hold national elections as scheduled by January.