BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — 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.Apparently he was targeted for assassination:
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.
Aoun, also a former interim prime minister, returned less than two weeks after Syria completed the withdrawal of its remaining 14,000 troops in Lebanon.
In a reminder of the fragile security, police officials said they arrested two Syrian nationals and a Lebanese who approached the platform from where Aoun addressed the crowd. The Syrian national, identified as Mohammed Jamal, was carrying a pistol concealed under his jacket, finger on the trigger, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.Read the whole thing here.
Aoun has long stood as a symbol of Lebanese resistance to Syrian occupation. His physical presence in Beirut is a potent political fact that will energize the opposition forces, but will antagonize pro-Syrian factions. Don't be surprised if there are further attempts on his life.
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