Saudi cleric calls for "urgent" action to stop Syria bloodshed

MINA, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS) - The imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque called on Arabs and Muslims today to take"practical and urgent" steps to stop bloodshed in Syria that has killed some 30,000 people, and urged world states to assume their moral responsibility towards the conflict.

Muslims from around the world celebrated Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage that attracted some three million people from nearly 190 countries.

This year's haj took place against a backdrop of divisions among Muslims, with Shi'ite Iran and U.S.-allied Sunni countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar backing opposing sides in Syria's civil war.

Saudi Arabia has led Arab efforts to isolate President Bashar al-Assad's government, and has supported the rebels with money and logistics.