Opposition leader lands in Beirut

[cal04]

Exiled Lebanese opposition leader Michel Aoun has arrived in his homeland for the first time in 14 years. The anti-Syrian former prime minister's chartered flight from France touched down in Beirut at 1400 GMT.

He is due to address crowds at a mass rally celebrating his homecoming in the capital's Martyrs Square. Mr Aoun, 70, a Christian hardliner, was expelled from Lebanon in 1991 after failing in his attempt to end Syria's military presence. The former general's return was made possible after the departure of Syrian troops last month.

He says his aim is to reduce corruption and the stagnation of traditional Lebanese politics. Parliamentary elections are due at the end of this month, and Mr Aoun, who has been living in France, has indicated that he might stand for office.
He tried unsuccessfully to drive the Syrian forces out of Lebanon and was forced to flee in 1990. Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon last month
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4525419.stm

(Interesting side note about this guy.)
The anti-Syrian former general spent 14 years of exile in France after he was charged in 1990 for assaulting state security, national unity and the constitution.
He was also charged for embezzling state funds and was accused of seizing power and imposing military rule. However on Wednesday, the Lebanese government dropped charges against him after a court ruled that he was exempt from those charges by an amnesty law clearing the bloody records of Lebanese politicians after the 1975-1990 civil war.
http://www.gulf-news.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=163883