BEIRUT, LEBANON: Syrian soldiers demonstrate 13 October 1990 their joy in front of Baabda presidential palace in Beirut, taking over Christian areas, formerly controlled by troops loyal to General Michel Aoun. Christian leader General Michel Aoun took refuge at French embassy in east Beirut after Syrian attack against his headquarters on Baabda presidential palace early 13 October. Aoun, who has been in exile in France since 1991, headed a military government between 1988-90 before he was forced to lay down his arms before a Lebanese-Syrian military coalition. He had declared a "war of liberation" against Syria, which still has 35 000 troops stationed in Lebanon and tightly controls the political scene. (Photo credit should read NABIL ISMAIL/AFP via Getty Images)