It served as the old age home where a senior cleric could live his last years.

Protests can be held later if needed, he said, adding that the most senior clerics in Iraq were supporting a halt to demonstrations.

Stepping to the head of the camel, the senior cleric said, 'Hist!

The staff of 90 employees has begged the senior clerics to stop their squabbling.

To begin with, some 105 senior clerics and other religious scholars disappeared in the immediate aftermath of the 1991 uprising.

Yusuf said that "senior Islamic clerics" told him they could not guarantee his safety if he went ahead.

Some senior Shiite clerics do not approve of it.

He has indicated that he would follow the senior cleric's direction.

In addition, there were differences within the circle of senior clerics.

Some senior clerics and political figures have called for an outright rejection of the proposal.