CIA Reading Room cia-rdp05-01507r000100060011-7: SHEIKH MUHAMMED HUSSAYN FADLALLAH, SPOKESMAN FOR ISLAMIC SITUATION
Author: CIA Reading Room
i . A lJ . - I I I U.., I . i Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/01/27: CIA-RDP05-01507R000100060011-7 TheMMLd e .Eas i R*e ^Z?~r -? 1 r / ,YFtOF I ME S', LEBANON-MOSLEMS ? Sheikh Mhamme,d Huss Fadlallah, S okesman For Islamic Situation ein Fadlallah, the Shiite Sheikh Mohammed Huss identified in the local ft en Moslem scholar o and foreign, news media as the spiritual mentor of the Iranian-backed Hizbullah (Party of God)9 seems to be exerting a great deal of influence in Lebanon's political life. Fadlallah is perh- aps one of the very few relito gain en pres- tical,leaders who have managed the pect and admiration of both his friends and foes Some Chris- on both sides of the sectarian divides tian leaders have once described him as an "intel- ligent man with profound knowledge and foresight". Despite his repeated denial,, Fadlallah's name has always been linked to Hizbullah ever since the fun- damentalist; party began gaining ground dating its power base in Lebanon in 1984. The majo- rity of Lebanese Moslems and Christians as well as foreign states consider_Fadlallah as the most in- fluential leader in the Party of God. In addition to his alleged influence on,Hizbullah,' Fadlallah plays a.major role inthe Iranian-backed Islamic Movement in Lebanon The-movement-last_year__named Fadlallah along who what hetermedeiithelpresid- leaders for the post ency of Islamic Republic in Lebanon." ine ASH SHIRAA Leader,. The west Beirut weekly magaz leader" saforFwhomlpeople he- ther