The last civilian President of Peru, Fernando Belaunde Terry, returned to his home country on Sunday (4 January) after seven years of exile in Washington, U.S.A., and he immediately made a veiled call for national elections.

Senor Belaunde went into exile after a group of military officers seized power from him in 1968.

He was greeted on his arrival at Lima Airport by a chanting crowd of about two thousand supporters. He told them that he had come back to defend the republican traditions of Peru.

The 63 year-old former President said "You must be subject to the seriousness and precision of the calender of electoral consultations".

About 300 riot police ringed the airport as Senor Belaunde, looking nervous but excited, was carried shoulder high to a parked truck where he delivered his first speech on Peruvian soil since his downfall. Though the crowd was smaller than expected, they gave him an ecstatic welcome, chanting, cheering and applauding. No incidents were reported.

His return to Peru followed a political amnesty which was decreed by President Francisco Morales Bermudez shortly after he took over from General Juan Velasco Alvarado last August.

Senor Belaunde said that he and his party, the Popular Action Party, which had also been banned until last year's amnesty, did not have to thank anyone for their freedom. He said he planned to stay for two weeks, and would then definitely return later in the year.