Lebanese officials estimate that at least 6,000 guerrillas have returned to the country in the last five years.

The guerrillas returned to execute those suspected of being informers and burned the Mayor's office.

He has also released almost all political prisoners and let more than 4,000 Salvadoran refugees who support the guerrillas return to rebel-held areas.

But after the troops withdrew, leaving in place a small security force, the guerrillas returned.

The plan allows the guerrillas six days to return to Angola, but the United Nations has said 10 days will be needed for the operation.

Some of the American officers who led patrols through the city on Friday seemed to sense that the guerrillas would return.

The guerrillas, who had been forced out of the country by the invading Israeli Army in 1982, had returned to resume attacks on Israel.

Elias-Zacarias left Guatemala in March, 1987, because he was afraid the guerrillas would return.

With the job done the guerrillas return to their homes and remove and telltales of their participation.

He and 5,000 guerrillas returned, this time to the northern port of Tripoli, about a year later.