Crossword Genius

Old Algerian leader always backed bishops and sacred leaders (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abbas

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'old algerian leader' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'always backed bishops and sacred leaders' is the wordplay.
'leaders' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'always backed bishops and sacred' is 'ABBAS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abbas that I've seen before include "Bishops" , "Algerian nationalist leader" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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