Solicit a delegate guarding stronghold (7)

I believe the answer is:

citadel

'stronghold' is the definition.
(citadel is a kind of stronghold)

'solicit a delegate guarding' is the wordplay.
'guarding' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'CITADEL' is hidden within 'solicit a delegate'.

(Other definitions for citadel that I've seen before include "secure place" , "Stronghold usually within the walls" , "Urban stronghold - dialect (anag)" , "Fortress overlooking a city" , "Keep - castle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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