Church authorities have issued a statement urging Mr Milosevic and his government "in the interest and the salvation of the people" to give way to new authorities acceptable at home and abroad.

Milosevic should go, say church leaders

The statement also expressed "deep concern" about the situation in Kosovo. It called on Serbs not to leave the province, and said Nato should provide equal protection to the province's Serbs and Albanians.

The Orthodox Church's last major statement was issued on the eve of Nato's bombing campaign. On 23 March, the Holy Synod warned the international community that Nato bombs would not end fighting between Serbs and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

Considerable influence

The Orthodox church wants sites like Decani monastery protected

The Orthodox Church has considerable influence in Serbia and has generally given tacit support to the country's politicians. The ancient seat of the church is in the Kosovan town of Pec, which Italian K-For troops entered on Monday.