US soldiers can drink beer for Super Bowl

US troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl - an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.

In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top US commander in Iraq General Raymond Odierno issued a waiver on Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.

Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 am in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.