BAGHDAD, March 29 (Reuters) - Iraqi authorities on Saturday extended a curfew in Baghdad indefinitely to contain clashes between Mehdi Army militants and Iraqi security forces that have threated to spiral out of control.

The curfew, imposed on Thursday, was due to expire early on Sunday.

"To defeat the terrorist groups, the outlaws and the criminal gangs and to preserve the souls of our citizens, we extended the curfew in Baghdad indefinitely for people, cars and motorcycles," said a statement by the Iraqi security forces in Baghdad.

(Reporting by Wathiq Ibrahim; Writing by Randy Fabi)

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