Gunmen clash with Iraqi soldiers in Kerbala

KERBALA, Iraq, Aug 15 (Reuters) Gunmen loyal to a hardline anti-American Shi'ite cleric clashed with Iraqi soldiers today in Kerbala, raising tensions in the southern city, army sources said.

Army sources said the trouble began after Iraqi forces stormed the religious school of cleric Mahmoud al-Hasani and searched for weapons.

His office said the raids took place because of ''the nationalist attitude of this cleric opposing the (US) occupation''.

Hasani's Web site identifies him as a grand ayatollah, the highest clerical rank among Shi'ites.

REUTERS MS BST1331