Berri backs Iran nuke quest - 'deal' to boost Amal prestige seen

By: Karim Tellawi

TYRE, Lebanon: A conference of Shiite political and religious leaders concluded in Tyre on Thursday with little decided concerning the challenges being faced by Shiite community in Lebanon as well as in the region.

Many Shiite political leaders were present at the meeting, but most of the Amal Movement's high-level former members were absent - indeed, none were invited. Even the presence of two low-ranking Hizbullah members seemed only to validate the event's insignificance or the reservations that some had toward the meeting.

“Contrary to observers' analysis, we in Amal are physically integrated with Hizbullah. ... Now we are spiritually attached to (Shiite cleric Mohammed) Fadlallah,” Parliament Speaker and Amal leader Nabih Berri said, - a reference in which some observers saw a possible deal to bring Amal back into balance with Hizbullah.

Berri backed Iran’s nuclear quest. “This meeting is taking place as threats are increasing against Iran's nuclear program, and... if they do possess the atomic bomb, then I support their initiative,” he said.

Some observers saw in the meeting an attempt to bolster some religious and political figures among the Shiite communities. However, the result was that invitees exchanged more flattering compliments about “a family gathering and understanding,” than actual talk about issues.

The absence of the vice-president of the Higher Shiite Council, Abdel-Amir Qabalan, seemed only to reveal the extent of scuffles and divergences.

“Qabalan expected that the gathering would take place under the council's patronage,” a source close to him told. “We fear some circles are attempting to replace this vital Shiite institution.”

Besides Berri, Fadlallah was the most significant guest at the lunch. Although Ali al-Amin, the Mufti al-Jaafari of Tyre and Jabal Amel, ostensibly invited the attendees, he acknowledged in his speech that Fadlallah and Berri had jointly sponsored the event and made it a success.

Some attendees at the meeting speculated that Fadlallah's son, Ali Fadlallah, will become the vice-president of the council and that Qabalan, the current vice-president, will become its president.

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