Yemeni clerics urge Saleh to leave power http://english.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=13096

Religious leaders in Yemen have called on embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign as dozens of people have been killed in by pro-Saleh supporters. In a statement issued on Sunday, Yemen's leading clerics held Saleh responsible for the massacre of 52 anti-government protesters by loyalists to Saleh following Friday prayers in Sana'a. The clerics also asked Yemeni security forces to not open fire on people demanding an end to Saleh's 32-year rule. "We call on the army and security forces to not carry out any order from anyone to kill and repress," AFP quoted the clerics as saying. Sheik Sadiq al-Ahmar, the leader of Yemen's most powerful Hashed tribe, also urged Saleh to leave power. Huge crowds on Sunday attended the burial procession of those killed in Friday's brutal crackdown.