BEIRUT, 8 May 2005 — Lebanon’s most prominent Christian leader returned to a hero’s welcome in Beirut yesterday, ending more than a decade in exile 11 days after the last Syrian soldier withdrew from the country.

“Today is a day of joy, a day for jubilation. I’m back,” Michel Aoun told reporters at Beirut airport after a chartered plane flew him, his family and top aides from France, landing shortly before 5 p.m.

“A black cloud oppressed Lebanon for 15 years. Today the sun of freedom is shining. I’m returning to look to the future and rebuild Lebanon together,” he said, flanked by his daughters and grandchildren.

The former general drove to the central Martyrs’ Square, scene of anti-Syrian rallies in the past three months, where tens of thousands of supporters waving Lebanese flags gave him a rapturous welcome.

Aoun’s defeat at the hands of a Syrian-led assault on his powerbase in and around Beirut on Oct. 13, 1990, marked the end of the Lebanese civil war. He sought refuge at the French Embassy before leaving for exile several months later.

A court this week suspended an arrest warrant for Aoun after another court dropped charges against him issued in 1990 accusing him of assaulting state security, national unity and the constitution, and embezzling state funds.

Aoun has said members of his Free Patriotic Movement will contest upcoming elections.

Parliament met yesterday to review a letter from President Emile Lahoud proposing a change to rules under which the elections between May 29 and June 19 would be held. But the assembly rejected the letter and Speaker Nabih Berri adjourned the session without a vote on changing the electoral law, seen favoring pro-Syria candidates.

The Hezbollah group said it expected a heated debate with other groups and the Lebanese government on disarming after the elections, but insisted it would keep its arms as long as Israel posed a threat.