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Iraqi PM condemns Saddam 'crimes' Iraqi PM condemns Saddam 'crimes'
(about 3 hours later)
Iraq's prime minister has said he hopes Saddam Hussein gets what he deserves for "crimes against the Iraqi people", ahead of Sunday's expected verdict.Iraq's prime minister has said he hopes Saddam Hussein gets what he deserves for "crimes against the Iraqi people", ahead of Sunday's expected verdict.
In a televised message urging calm, Nouri Maliki said Iraqis should mark the verdict in a way that "does not risk their lives". In a TV message urging calm, Nouri Maliki said Iraqis should mark it in a way that "does not risk their lives".
Military leave has been cancelled amid tight security before the verdict in the first of Saddam's trials. Military leave has been cancelled amid heightened security, as Saddam Hussein supporters threatened more violence if he were sentenced to death.
His supporters have threatened more violence if he is sentenced to death. In fresh unrest, police have killed 53 insurgents near Baghdad, officials say.
The interior ministry said four policemen also died and 16 insurgents were captured in fierce fighting in the southern outskirts of the city.
A spokesman said police had been acting on information that a number of people were being held hostage in the area, but he said officers had found no sign of any captives.
Saddam Hussein is being tried on charges of crimes against humanity
The verdict in the first of Saddam's trials is due to come amid increased violence - 83 bodies, some showing signs of torture, were found in Baghdad alone in the past 36 hours.
The former president and co-defendants are accused of ordering the deaths of 148 Shias in 1982 in the village of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on Saddam Hussein.The former president and co-defendants are accused of ordering the deaths of 148 Shias in 1982 in the village of Dujail, following an assassination attempt on Saddam Hussein.
The verdict is due to come amid increased violence - 83 bodies, some showing signs of torture, were found in Baghdad alone in the past 36 hours. The verdict is also expected two days before mid-term elections in the US, where Iraq has been a hot topic.
It is also expected two days before mid-term elections in the US, where Iraq has been a hot topic.
Leading conservatives have been challenging President George W Bush's conduct of the war.Leading conservatives have been challenging President George W Bush's conduct of the war.
Former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle, who was originally in favour of the invasion, has said US policy in Iraq has turned into a disaster.Former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle, who was originally in favour of the invasion, has said US policy in Iraq has turned into a disaster.
He told Vanity Fair magazine that if he had been able to see how the war would develop, he probably would not have advocated the invasion to depose Saddam. Traffic ban
Four military newspapers, meanwhile, are calling for the defence secretary to resign. On Sunday Baghdad's civilian airport will be closed and a 12-hour-long curfew imposed in the capital and three provinces - among them Salahuddin, which includes Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit.
The Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times said Donald Rumsfeld had lost credibility with the uniformed leadership. href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6117044.stm" class="">Ex-adviser attacks Bush The curfews are to be enforced from 0600 (0300 GMT), with vehicles and pedestrians banned from the streets.
"His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised," they say in an editorial due to be published on Monday. Correspondents say a violent reaction would not be surprising in Salahuddin, north of Baghdad, nor in Anbar to the west of the capital - where no curfew has been announced.
"And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt." The BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says it will be hard to enforce a curfew in Anbar as many of Saddam's former police, senior army officers and Baath Party officials lived in the two main towns there - Falluja and the provincial capital Ramadi.
'Unusual calm' But elsewhere, there may be celebrations as when Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Husay were killed, our correspondent says.
Baghdad's civilian airport will be closed and a 12-hour-long curfew imposed in the capital, Diyala, Salahuddin and Anbar provinces to prepare for the verdict.
Insurgent attacks have been on the rise
The curfews are to be enforced from 0600 (0300 GMT) on Sunday, with vehicles and pedestrians banned from the streets.
Correspondents say a violent reaction would not be surprising in Saddam Hussein's home province of Salahuddin, north of Baghdad, nor in Anbar to the west of the capital.
Many of his former police, senior army officers and Baath Party officials lived in the two main towns there - Falluja and the provincial capital Ramadi.
But elsewhere, there may be celebrations as when Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Husay were killed, says the BBC's Hugh Sykes in the capital.
Baghdad residents said there were no extra security measures in force on Saturday.
But on Saturday at least two people were killed in a car bomb and three shot dead - but the city has otherwise been unusually calm, our correspondent says.
A member of Saddam Hussein's defence team said the overall atmosphere and military measures being taken suggested a death sentence was about to be passed.A member of Saddam Hussein's defence team said the overall atmosphere and military measures being taken suggested a death sentence was about to be passed.
Najeen al-Nuaimi told al-Jazeera television they would appeal against the verdict, but "to a committee that is unfortunately composed of members of the same committee that is currently trying the president".Najeen al-Nuaimi told al-Jazeera television they would appeal against the verdict, but "to a committee that is unfortunately composed of members of the same committee that is currently trying the president".