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| Iraqi curfew for football final | Iraqi curfew for football final |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Security in Baghdad is being stepped up as Iraqi football fans prepare to watch their national team play Saudi Arabia in the Asian cup final in Indonesia. | Security in Baghdad is being stepped up as Iraqi football fans prepare to watch their national team play Saudi Arabia in the Asian cup final in Indonesia. |
| Authorities fear fans gathering in groups may be targets for bombers. About 50 people were killed in attacks after Iraq's victory in the semi-final. | Authorities fear fans gathering in groups may be targets for bombers. About 50 people were killed in attacks after Iraq's victory in the semi-final. |
| The authorities have banned vehicles from the capital during and after the final and urged fans not to congregate. | The authorities have banned vehicles from the capital during and after the final and urged fans not to congregate. |
| Correspondents say Iraq's progress has temporarily united the divided country. | Correspondents say Iraq's progress has temporarily united the divided country. |
| Iraq have surprised the football world by beating tournament favourites Australia, and then former winners South Korea in Wednesday's semi-final. | Iraq have surprised the football world by beating tournament favourites Australia, and then former winners South Korea in Wednesday's semi-final. |
| Wild celebrations followed that victory, with crowds dancing in the streets and waving the national flag. | Wild celebrations followed that victory, with crowds dancing in the streets and waving the national flag. |
| But the party was brought to a bloody end as insurgents detonated bombs in two parts of Baghdad, killing about 50 people. | But the party was brought to a bloody end as insurgents detonated bombs in two parts of Baghdad, killing about 50 people. |
| Football fever | Football fever |
| Ahead of the final, authorities announced that cars, bicycles, motorcycles and carts would be banned from Baghdad from 1600 (1200 GMT) on Sunday to 0600 on Monday. | Ahead of the final, authorities announced that cars, bicycles, motorcycles and carts would be banned from Baghdad from 1600 (1200 GMT) on Sunday to 0600 on Monday. |
| The match kicks off at 1635 Iraqi time (1235 GMT). | |
| Military spokesman Brigadier General Qassim al-Moussawi said they wanted to stop "terrorists, Sunni extremists and criminals from targeting the joy of the people over the achievements of the Iraqi national team". | Military spokesman Brigadier General Qassim al-Moussawi said they wanted to stop "terrorists, Sunni extremists and criminals from targeting the joy of the people over the achievements of the Iraqi national team". |
| A similar vehicle ban is being imposed in the northern city of Kirkuk. | A similar vehicle ban is being imposed in the northern city of Kirkuk. |
| The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says football fever has gripped the nation. | The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says football fever has gripped the nation. |
| Iraq's progress has united a divided countryShops selling Iraqi flags, baseball caps and T-shirts are reporting brisk business, and Iraqis have stocked up on fuel to make sure that generators can run their televisions. | |
| One fan, Amir Wali, said: "I call upon all Iraqi communities - Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, Arabs, Yazidis and Christians - to adopt one stance today and encourage the Iraqi football team, because this team carries the name of Iraq." | One fan, Amir Wali, said: "I call upon all Iraqi communities - Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, Arabs, Yazidis and Christians - to adopt one stance today and encourage the Iraqi football team, because this team carries the name of Iraq." |
| Ali al-Shakarchi added: "I'd like to warmly greet this team who make the people happy, our wounded people who are in need of joy and pleasure. God willing, we will win!" | Ali al-Shakarchi added: "I'd like to warmly greet this team who make the people happy, our wounded people who are in need of joy and pleasure. God willing, we will win!" |
| Gunfire banned | Gunfire banned |
| A number of people have been killed by celebratory gunfire after Iraq's previous victories. | A number of people have been killed by celebratory gunfire after Iraq's previous victories. |
| The authorities have warned that anyone caught firing guns into the air will be punished. | The authorities have warned that anyone caught firing guns into the air will be punished. |
| Our correspondent says it is doubtful whether any of security measures will quell celebrations if Iraq win. | Our correspondent says it is doubtful whether any of security measures will quell celebrations if Iraq win. |
| The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, and it could, he says, be a rare moment for Iraq to celebrate with one voice. | The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, and it could, he says, be a rare moment for Iraq to celebrate with one voice. |