Iraq has put its security forces on alert and is also expected to impose curfew in Baghdad and three other provinces ahead of Sunday's verdict in the trial of Saddam Hussein.
Saddam, 69, and seven co-accused have been charged with crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shia villagers after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982.
If convicted, the former Iraqi leader can be sentenced to death.
Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, has said that Saddam's execution cannot come soon enough.
Should Saddam be sentenced to death, it may be many months, even years, before he is hanged as appeals are heard. Saddam is due back in court on Tuesday in another trial, for genocide against ethnic Kurds.
Lock down
Mowaffak al-Rubaie, a national security adviser, told local television stations on Saturday that a curfew would be imposed in Baghdad and the provinces of Diyala, Anbar and Salahaddin, Saddam's home province.
Iraqiya state television said there would be a curfew on Sunday and Baghdad airport would be closed, but another senior official said others in the government were against a curfew, and a decision would be taken later on Saturday.
The defence ministry on Friday had cancelled all leave for army officers in anticipation of the verdict.
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