Former prime minister Brian Mulroney returned to Parliament Hill Tuesday for the first time in 10 years for the unveiling of his official portrait.

Mulroney's longtime political nemesis and current Prime Minister Jean Chretien was among the guests who attended the ceremony.

"This is a very special moment for me and my family," Mulroney said. "I'm especially indebted to (artist) Igor Babailov, who did a remarkable job given what he had to work with."

"I'm proud that my likeness will be a part of this remarkable building."

Shortly after the portrait was unveiled, a protester ran onto the stage and taunted Mulroney with an American flag. Mulroney was often accused of being too cosy with the United States.

The demonstrator was dragged away by security and Mulroney laughed it off.

"I wish they hadn't hustled that guy out so quickly. He was one of my supporters."

The portrait, which will hang in the Centre Block of Parliament alongside portraits of other prime ministers, was painted by Babailov, a Russian immigrant who has painted commissioned portraits of other international politicians, including U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Some political analysts were surprised that Chretien took part in the unveiling, considering the reported longstanding personal rift between the two.

Mulroney, who served two terms as prime minister, said he was surprised to see Chretien at the event, particularly after recalling a 1986 speech he made in the House of Commons in which he wished Chretien a prosperous retirement.

Quoting Hansard from Feb. 27, 1986, Mulroney called Chretien "a brave and dedicated member" and an "extremely likeable man."

"Did I say that?" Mulroney joked Tuesday.

Chretien later returned to politics and led the Liberals to three straight majority governments after Mulroney's eight years in power.

"We gather today to hang Brian Mulroney on Parliament Hill," Chretien quipped during his remarks. "But I'm sure he'll take pleasure in the fact that I'll be the next to hang."
"You were a formidable adversary in the House of Commons," Chretien said. "That is what democracy is all about."

The acrimony between Chretien and Mulroney reportedly peaked when the Liberal government falsely accused Mulroney of accepting kickbacks on the 1988 sale of Airbus jets to Air Canada.

He eventually won a formal apology and a $2 million legal settlement.

"This (Airbus affair) is a problem that existed a long, long time ago," Chretien told reporters earlier Tuesday. "We don't hate each other. We were political opponents ... it's life."

Mulroney did, however, take note of Chretien's recent power struggle with the Liberal caucus.

Chretien recently warned Liberal MPs that party discord could cause voters to reject Liberals in the next election, much like what happened to the Tories in 1993, when they were reduced to two seats in Parliament.

"Although history remembers prime ministers in a special way, Canadians should never forget that it's the individual member of Parliament whose contribution is the foundation of our parliamentary system," Mulroney said.

"I can tell you after nine years, the part of political life I miss the most is caucus."

Mulroney did not address recent rumours that top Tories were trying to talk him into a political comeback and lead the beleaguered party into the next election.

However, he told Tuesday's National Post that it's the responsibility of younger people to "take on the challenge."

Chretien, however, warned Mulroney that if he makes a comeback, "I'm staying." Chretien will retire as Liberal leader and prime minister in February, 2004.

Mulroney, a senior partner in the Montreal law firm of Ogilvy Renault, also sits on the board of several major corporations, including Barrick Gold and Quebecor World Inc.