U.S. and Iraqi forces say they are stepping up security efforts for Sunday's elections, as insurgent groups issued new calls for attacks to disrupt the vote.
The White House says President Bush spoke to interim Prime Minister Ilyad Allawi by telephone Tuesday to discuss preparations for the election and the need to encourage voters to go to the polls.
Iraq's Interior Ministry reports at least three policemen were killed in a clash with insurgents in Baghdad Tuesday. One report said the fighting began when policemen fired at insurgents handing out leaflets warning people not to vote.
Earlier, the Iraqi terrorist group Army of Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for killing a senior judge in Baghdad. Also Tuesday, Arabic television broadcast a videotape of an American civilian (Roy Hallums) who was taken hostage in November pleading for Arab leaders to intervene to save his life.