That moderate strain contrasts with fundamentalist Iran, where religious leaders wield ultimate political authority.

Because the party caucus leaders in California's legislature also control the party's legislative campaign funds, the leaders wield tremendous power over their caucus members.

They were dressed like peasants, though their leader could wield a sword well enough.

Even now, in those special elections to fill the unexpired terms of City Council members, traditional party activists and leaders often wield considerable clout.

Instead of the authority of position held by an appointed head or chief, the emergent leader wields influence or power.

Some experts say that in Europe, suspicion of major denominations may run higher because religious leaders directly wielded political power in the past.

Along with Mr. Peres, the gray-haired former leaders seemed like a group of peace pensioners - no longer in power, but still wielding moral authority.

The leader of the attack squad wielded his hulltorch with authority.

Its spiritual leader traditionally wielded temporal power also, and the monasteries held great sway over daily life, making the religion an obvious competitor with Government authority.

Mr. Bragman's outspokenness was considered remarkable in Albany, where the leaders of both houses wield an extraordinary level of power.