Bahrain cleric to rulers: Reform or face Gaddafi fate

MANAMA — Bahrain's senior Shia cleric has warned the kingdom's rulers to either ease their grip on power or risk joining Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and other Arab leaders swept aside by Islamic awakenings.

The Friday sermon by Sheik Isa Qassim was attended by thousands of worshippers after Bahrain's justice minister accused the cleric of promoting unrest, AP reported.

Qassim vowed he would not be silenced, saying it's his religious duty to support demands of Bahraini people, who are calling for greater rights.

He said that Bahrain's ruling dynasty can either enact sweeping reforms or risk the same fate as Gaddafi and the ousted presidents of Egypt and Tunisia.

Bahrain's protests began in February inspired by other Arab uprisings.

Meanwhile, in defiance of a government ban on Quds Day rallies in Bahrain, protesters took to the streets on Friday to mark the international event and set Israeli flags on fire, Press TV reported.

Witnesses said hundreds of Bahrainis held demonstrations in Manama and several villages to protest against the government ban on the anti-Israeli rally and show solidarity with Palestinians.

Bahraini protesters called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.