Gaza will turn into a Taliban-style Islamic emirate with Iranian and Syrian support.

Syria, he said, is a "de facto safe haven for former Baathists" in Iraq, although the extent of official Syrian support was unclear.

The Abu Musa faction has had Syrian support since it emerged in May 1983.

Falling oil revenue, combined with dissatisfaction with Syrian support of Iran, have pushed others to abstain.

"We are combatting terrorism," he said in angry tones, adding that Syrian support for Palestinian groups fighting Israel is not terrorism.

He is a member of Hezbollah, a radical Islamic party that has long had Syrian support.

He emerged looking drawn, and declined to say whether he had won Syrian support for an Arab-Israeli peace conference.

Changes in Syrian support changed the winners and losers.

The more secular Amal has Syrian support and in the past received weapons, including tanks, from Damascus.

Mr. Franjieh, a 78-year-old former President, has strong Syrian support.