Di Tiro lived in exiled in Sweden for nearly 30 years [AFP]

Free Aceh Movement (GAM) founder Hassan di Tiro, 83, was greeted by thousands of cheering supporters and former fighters after he  arrived in the capital of war-torn and tsunami-scarred Aceh  province on Saturday.

"People have come from all over Aceh. They are happy to be here just to see [di Tiro] for that split minute. His heart has always  been in Aceh," Bakhtiar Abdullah, former GAM negotiator who was jailed by the Indonesians, said.

"There are people who were very loyal to him who would die for him, and they have never seen him before. They are still loyal to him and they would do anything for him," Abdullah said.

Emotional return
 
Aceh rebels gave up their arms and separatist rebellion in 2005 under a power-sharing agreement with the Indonesian government.

Di Tiro's declaration of independence from Indonesia in 1976 sparked the 30-year civil war.

His's return comes a day after the man who helped broker the peace deal - Martti Ahtirsaari - won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Di Tiro has been living in Sweden since late 1970's.

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