The sheik is considered the spiritual guide of Iranian-backed Shiite radicals in Lebanon.

Some hostages are believed to be held in well-guarded bunkers in Beirut's southern suburbs, a hotbed of Shiite radicals.

For example, Iran helps Shiite radicals in Lebanon, it assassinates political opponents abroad and its nuclear program threatens Israel, yet Iran is also hostile to the Sunni Taliban in Afghanistan.

Dealing with these Sunni and Shiite radicals is admittedly difficult, and some of them probably want no part of a representative government.

Shiite religious radicals are also insufficiently represented by the exile-oriented Shiite parties allied with the Allawi government.

With nobody to stop them, long-banned groups ranging from Shiite radicals to communists have been seizing villas in Baghdad and adorning them with their respective emblems.

The shadowy group Islamic Holy War - believed to consist of Shiite radicals loyal to Iran - says it is holding them.

The Shiite radicals in Lebanon describe this Israeli withdrawal as a sign of the Muslims' superior willingness to fight, and one that will only lead to more victories over Israel.

And when France had citizens taken hostage by Iranian-backed Shiite radicals in Lebanon later in the 1980's, seeking their release proved humiliating, as it did for Americans.

The committee, under the chairmanship of Ayatollah Montazeri, supported Shiite radicals, principally the Party of God in Lebanon, and such other organizations as The Call, in Iraq.