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| Iraqi PM condemns Saddam 'crimes' | Iraqi PM condemns Saddam 'crimes' |
| (about 1 hour 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. | |
| In a TV message urging calm, Nouri Maliki said Iraqis should mark it 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 heightened security, as Saddam Hussein supporters threatened more violence if he were sentenced to death. | Military leave has been cancelled amid heightened security, as Saddam Hussein supporters threatened more violence if he were sentenced to death. |
| In fresh unrest, police have killed 53 insurgents near Baghdad, officials say. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 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 also expected two days before mid-term elections in the US, where Iraq has been a hot topic. | The verdict 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. |
| Traffic ban | Traffic ban |
| 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. | 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. |
| Ex-adviser attacks Bush The curfews are to be enforced from 0600 (0300 GMT), with vehicles and pedestrians banned from the streets. | Ex-adviser attacks Bush The curfews are to be enforced from 0600 (0300 GMT), with vehicles and pedestrians banned from the streets. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| But elsewhere, there may be celebrations as when Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Husay were killed, our correspondent says. | But elsewhere, there may be celebrations as when Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Husay were killed, 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". |