Aoun's return a key moment

By Kim Ghattas
BBC News, Beirut

For 14 years, his supporters covered Beirut's walls with graffiti reading: "Aoun will return".

Now Michel Aoun, a former army commander-in-chief and one time prime minister is back in Beirut after years of exile in France. Members of his party, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), worked relentlessly this week to plan a huge celebration on Martyrs' Square, in the heart of the city.

Over the last few months, the square has seen hundreds of thousands of Lebanese demonstrate to demand the truth about the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, killed in a massive explosion on 14 February, and to ask for the departure of Syrian troops.

Anti-Syrian Leader Returns to Lebanon

By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Anti-Syrian leader Michel Aoun returned to Lebanon Saturday to the cheers of thousands of his supporters, ending his 14-year exile in France less than two weeks after Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon.

Aoun, a one-time army commander and interim Lebanese prime minister, lost a "war of liberation" against Syrian forces in 1989-90. He was sent into exile in France, but an arrest warrant against him was dropped earlier in the week, clearing the way for his return.

"Today is a day of happiness and joy," he said at a news conference at Beirut airport. "Lebanon has been under a black cloud that enslaved it for 15 years. Today, there is a sun of freedom. I am coming to look to the future and to build Lebanon together" with the Lebanese.

According to official results of The 2005 Elections in Mount Lebanon , the list of General Michel Aoun scored a sweeping victory in the …

Explosion Rocks Christian Port City North of Beirut, Lebanon, Reportedly Killing at Least One - Last Update

By HUSSEIN DAKROUB Associated Press Writer

JOUNIEH, Lebanon May 6, 2005