Developments in Iraq, Feb 25

Feb 25 (Reuters) - The following are security incidents and political developments in Iraq reported on Saturday Feb. 25 as of 0715 GMT

U.S. and Iraqi forces are battling a largely Sunni Arab insurgency against the Shi'ite- and Kurdish-led government in Baghdad.

SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS

SAMARRA - Gunmen opened fire on the funeral procession of an Al Arabiya correspondent killed while covering an attack on a Shi'ite shrine in the Iraqi city of Samarra, the Arab television station reported. It said Iraqi security forces protecting the funeral of Atwar Bahjat returned fire. It was not clear if anyone was hurt.

BAGHDAD - Overnight, gunmen -- some firing rockets -- attacked Sunni mosques in two Baghdad districts, including the Sunnis' revered Abu Hanifa shrine, police said, adding that police and Iraqi troops repelled assailants who wore the black of Shi'ite militias.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi government has extended the daylight security clampdown with a ban on cars to 4 p.m. on Saturday (1300 GMT) in a bid to ease sectarian tensions that have raised fears of civil war. The overnight curfew was still in effect. Baghdad was calm in the early morning following late night clashes.