Since the emergence of the post-1943 state, national policy has been determined largely by a relatively restricted group of traditional regional and sectarian leaders.

He saw himself as a mainstream Shi'ite, not as a sectarian leader.

One of the main warlords of the Lebanese Civil War, He has been described as "one of the most corrupt sectarian leaders in Lebanon".

Or did the church actively create the canon in response to Marcion and other sectarian leaders whose 'inspired' writings were either more or less than the church accepted?

But his neighbors are no longer just sectarian or tribal leaders.

He is known for his very strict opposition of the whole Lebanese regime and sectarian leaders.

While he seems to have had significant Maronite support for this, he was still perceived as a sectarian leader among others by the Muslim population, who distrusted his agenda.

Were they voting for Kurdish sectarian leaders, who they hope will gradually split Kurdistan off from Iraq?

In his interview with the Daily Star, he said "sectarian political leaders are trying to take advantage of the movement and adopt it, under their principles, but we have rejected such acts."

He cautioned the Lebanese people about allowing political differences among sectarian leaders to become sectarian differences that might tear the country apart.