TYRE, Lebanon: A meeting of Shiite political and religious leaders held in Tyre on Thursday ended, with little decided concerning the challenges that the Shiite community is facing in Lebanon and in the region.

Many Shiite political leaders were present at the meeting, but absent were most of the Amal Movement's high-level former members - 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.

Parliament Speaker and Amal leader Nabih Berri denied reports that Amal is targeting political parties or competing for dominance over the Shiite community.

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

Berri questioned why a previous Syrian suggestion that the entire Mideast should be free of nuclear weapons had been so long disregarded, saying that the issue was only now coming to the fore because of the Iran's alleged quest to develop nuclear weapons.

"Who was it that didn't agree (before)?" he asked. "Lebanon? Syria? Iran? Who? Israel is the one that didn't agree."

He added: "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."

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.

In this silence, a behind the scenes tug of war may be seen going on between the different political and religious viewpoints in the Shiite community.

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 The Daily Star. "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.

"Fadlallah's presence will diminish Qabalan's stature" in the Shiite community, one observer said, noting that Fadlallah has had previous disputes with the council since its founding. In fact, some attendees at Thursday's 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.