Argentinian president out of exile

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem has ended 10 months of self-exile and is aiming to stage a political comeback in his home province after assurances he would not be arrested on arrival.

Two judges withdrew arrest warrants against Menem last week in separate inquiries into graft and tax evasion during his 1989-1999 rule.

Menem, 74, flew to La Rioja province from neighbouring Chile where he had been living with his young Chilean wife, a former beauty queen.

He has said he plans to run for president in 2007 despite polls showing he is widely reviled.

Dozens of supporters ran to meet him on the tarmac.