Iraq's prime minister urged Iraqis to accept the verdict expected Sunday in Saddam Hussein's trial as he ordered a curfew in Baghdad and two surrounding provinces.

The former dictator must get "what he deserves" with the decision that could sentence Saddam to hang, said Nouri al-Maliki. A Shiite Muslim, Maliki spent years in exile during Saddam's Sunni-dominated rule.

The decision in Saddam's trial for the alleged mass murder of 148 Shiite Muslims in 1982 may include a death sentence, a ruling which could spark a violent response.

Saddam and seven others, including a half brother, have been on trial for crimes against humanity in their alleged roles in the deaths. The former dictator has admitted he ordered trials that resulted in their executions.

As Saddam's supporters threatened bloodshed if he is convicted, Iraq cancelled all military leave on Friday and called vacationing troops back to active duty.

U.S. and Iraqi forces stepped up security Saturday to forestall possible violence surrounding the expected verdict.

New security checkpoints have sprung up around the city, military patrols have been increased and a main Baghdad bridge that carries traffic past the Green Zone has been blocked off.

The curfew is in place until further notice, keeping people at home and vehicles off the streets. Baghdad's airport is also being shut down.

The clampdown comes as a wave of increased violence sweeps Iraq. Police found the bodies of 87 torture victims throughout the capital over Thursday and Friday, and across Iraq, at least 16 people were killed or found dead on Saturday.

Such heavy security measures haven't been seen in Baghdad since the sectarian bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra last February -- an attack that spurred months of violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

"We received orders to tighten security measures and to use any available policemen to tighten the security," police Lt. Ali Abbas said.

An Iraqi police commander told The Associated Press there would be little sympathy for anyone participating in violence.

"We warn anyone who intends to exploit this event that our response will be tough and severe," said Brig. Abdul-Karim Khalaf.

The verdict, regardless of the outcome, is expected to spark an upsurge in violence.

If Saddam is sentenced to die, his fellow Sunnis are likely to retaliate. This week, one of Saddam's lawyers said a death sentence would "open the gates of hell" to U.S. troops serving in Iraq.

However, a decision that doesn't include the death penalty isn't likely to sit well with Shiites who were persecuted under Saddam but now control the government.

Late last month, Nouri al-Maliki said he expects Saddam to be executed, and said such a ruling would demoralize Saddam's followers fighting against U.S. forces and their allies in Iraq.

Meanwhile, defence lawyers have called for the verdict to be postponed to allow them to present final arguments which they say they have not yet brought forward.

A second trial against Saddam began in August. In that trial he faces charges of genocide against the Kurds.

It is unclear whether those charges will proceed if Saddam is sentenced to death.

With files from The Associated Press