RIYADH -- A group of leading Saudi Shiite clerics Saturday welcomed the fall of the "dictator" regime of Saddam Hussein, but expressed hope the Iraqi people would soon celebrate the departure of U.S. forces that ousted him.

"We share the Iraqi people's celebration of the fall of this hateful regime," said a statement signed by 13 Shiite clerics from the eastern province, a copy of which was received by AFP.

"We hope their happiness will be complete by getting rid of foreign domination, in order for Iraq to become free and dignified, run by its own people," the rare statement added.

The religious leaders, who included prominent pro-reform cleric Sheikh Hasan al-Saffar, appealed to all segments of the Iraqi population to show unity and solidarity, and to adopt dialogue and tolerance in discussing their affairs. The statement called for putting an end to internal differences among the Iraqi people and for rallying behind "religious and national leaders."

Shiite Muslims represent some 10 percent of the indigenous population of more than 17 million in the Sunni kingdom. They are concentrated in the oil-rich eastern province adjacent to Kuwait and southern Iraq.