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Shiite Cleric Defies Hizbullah
[Middle East Transparent] Pierre Akel - The Shiite Mufti of South Lebanon, Sheikh Ali el Amin, has condemned Hizbullah's transformation from a "cultural" to a "military" movement vowing allegiance to Iran. His speech at the rally in Beirut commemorating the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri two years earlier was a signal of his firm commitment against Hizbullah's attempts to seize power in Lebanon. According to Sheikh el Amin, Lebanese Shiites are still largely "moderates." Whereas Hizbullah and its Amal allies could represent 40 percent of Shiites, the large majority remains committed to political moderation and to Lebanon's independence and democratic system. On Iran's attempts to mobilize Arab Shiites to support Teheran's policies, Sheikh el Amin said, "We have nothing to do with Iran's political strategies....The Iranians would never enjoy the allegiance of all Lebanese Shias." "Does it really serve Iran's interests to be viewed with awe and distrust by Muslims all over the world?" he asked.