World Notes ALGERIA

After a decade in exile, former Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella made a rousing return last week, calling on the government to resign and urging citizens to support Iraq's Saddam Hussein. "Telephone the Iraqis, send telegrams and tell them you are with them," he said in an hour-long speech in Algiers. "Go by the hundreds of thousands to the Iraqi embassy, and don't leave until they sign you up as volunteers."

One of the most charismatic leaders of the eight-year revolution against France, Ben Bella (known as Aminedi, or Invisible One) became Algeria's first President in 1963. Ineffective in office, he was overthrown in a 1965 coup and spent 14 years under house arrest. Ben Bella, 73, could have returned earlier but risked being arrested for terrorist attacks that the government said were carried out by activists loyal to his exile group. He also said he would like to form a new coalition to challenge the long-ruling National Liberation Front. "We have huge problems," he said. "I hope I can do something to restore our dreams."