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Security tight at Iraqi festival Violence averted at Iraq festival
(about 4 hours later)
Tens of thousands of Shia Muslim pilgrims have been attending a religious festival in the Iraqi city of Karbala, amid tight security. Tens of thousands of Shia Muslim pilgrims have taken part in a religious festival in the Iraqi city of Karbala amid tight security.
Thousands of police and Iraqi soldiers were deployed to guard holy sites and stop vehicles entering the city in a bid to prevent possible attacks. Thousands of police and soldiers were deployed to guard sites and deter possible attackers. No major security incident was reported.
Up to three million pilgrims had been expected during events marking the birth of the 9th century Imam Mehdi. Up to three million pilgrims had been expected during events marking the birth of the Ninth Century Imam Mahdi.
Such festivals have been targeted by Sunni insurgents in the past.Such festivals have been targeted by Sunni insurgents in the past.
Local police say there have been no security breaches within the city while the festival has been going on. While pilgrims have begun to leave Karbala, a major police presence will remain in place until noon on Sunday to make sure that people are able to leave the city safely.
While pilgrims are now starting to leave Karbala, a major police presence will remain in place until noon on Sunday to make sure that people are able to leave the city safely.
Fervour tinged with fearFervour tinged with fear
This weekend is being seen as a real test of the new Iraqi security force's ability to deal with the continuing insurgency, the BBC's James Shaw in Baghdad says.This weekend is being seen as a real test of the new Iraqi security force's ability to deal with the continuing insurgency, the BBC's James Shaw in Baghdad says.
There have already been attacks on pilgrims travelling to Karbala in recent days.There have already been attacks on pilgrims travelling to Karbala in recent days.
Some 7,000 police, 2,000 Iraqi soldiers and 1,800 Interior Ministry commandos were deployed around Karbala, with units of special forces guarding the city's entrances, Iraqi officials said.Some 7,000 police, 2,000 Iraqi soldiers and 1,800 Interior Ministry commandos were deployed around Karbala, with units of special forces guarding the city's entrances, Iraqi officials said.
IMAM MEHDI BELIEFS 12th and final Imam, or rightful successor to Prophet MuhammadBorn 868 and believed by certain Shias to be still alive and in hidingHe will reappear at Day of Judgement and pray in Jerusalem IMAM MAHDI BELIEFS 12th and final Imam, or rightful successor to Prophet MuhammadBorn 868 and believed by certain Shias to be still alive and in hidingHe will reappear at Day of Judgement and pray in Jerusalem
"Our forces have tightened their control on the ground and our only concern now is rockets launched from a far distance," Iraqi army Major General Samir Abdullah said. "Our forces have tightened their control on the ground and our only concern now is rockets launched from a far distance," Iraqi army Major General Samir Abdullah said earlier.
Many pilgrims made their way by foot or vehicle to Karbala, 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad.Many pilgrims made their way by foot or vehicle to Karbala, 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad.
Three pilgrims were reported to have been killed and several wounded by a mortar attack on a procession near the town of Musayyib on Friday.Three pilgrims were reported to have been killed and several wounded by a mortar attack on a procession near the town of Musayyib on Friday.
A week ago, 14 Pakistani and Indian pilgrims were ordered off their bus and shot at the roadside.A week ago, 14 Pakistani and Indian pilgrims were ordered off their bus and shot at the roadside.
In other developments: In other developments in Iraq:
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  • Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will make his first official visit to Iran on Monday, a government spokesman says
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    • The bodies of six people are found in Mahmoudiya, 30km (18 miles) south of Baghdad
  • A roadside bomb kills three people and wounds 14 on a highway south of Kirkuk
  • A roadside bomb kills three people and wounds 14 on a highway south of Kirkuk
  • Several Iraqi policemen die in separate attacks on patrols in Baghdad
  • Several Iraqi policemen die in separate attacks on patrols in Baghdad
  • Gunmen fire on employees of the state-funded newspaper al-Sabah in Baghdad, reportedly killing one.
  • Gunmen fire on employees of the state-funded newspaper al-Sabah in Baghdad, reportedly killing one.
  • Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki will make his first official visit to Iran on Monday, a government spokesman says