"SOVEREIGN, FREE AND INDEPENDENT":

Anti-Syrian leader returns to Lebanon (SAM F. GHATTAS, 5/7/2005, The Associated Press)

Defeated in a battle against Syrian control of his country 15 years ago and sent into exile, Gen. Michel Aoun returned Saturday to a rousing welcome from thousands of supporters in a homeland recently freed of Syrian troops.

The former army commander was already emerging as a player in upcoming parliamentary elections.

"Here I am today, returning to you, and Lebanon has become sovereign, free and independent," he told a flag-waving crowd of at least 20,000 in a central Beirut square who cheered wildly, danced, hugged, kissed and even wept in joy.