Iraq’s unelected Prime Minister has been given the right to declare martial law and personally take control of much of the government in times of crisis. Iraq’s interim government approved the new national security law earlier today. Ayad Allawi, who is a former Baathist with ties to the CIA, will be given the power to take control of the military, police and intelligence unit. He will be able to institute curfews, ban public demonstrations, conduct emergency searches of private property and order the army to fight the Iraqi resistance. He will also be allowed to ban groups that he deems to be seditious. Allawi had sought even greater powers, but he will be forced to gain support from within his government before declaring emergency law. In addition, Allawi is expected to announce as early as today a plan to offer amnesty to members of the Iraqi resistance.