US troops move into Haiti rebel territory

A US Marine points his weapon as he mans a defensive position at the city's port after they took control over it Friday. Troops from France, US, Canada and Chile have arrived in Haiti where violence erupted after the February 29 resignation and flight into exile of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. Thousands of supporters of ex-president Aristide paraded through the streets of Port-au-Prince, chanting anti-American slogans and demanding the return of the exiled former leader.. PHOTO: AFP

While thousands of Aristide supporters staged a demonstration of support in the Haitian capital, the ex-president was again warned about his conduct in the Central African Republic.

But moves to restore order to the country made new progress when a 'council of wise men' was named in Port-au-Prince to choose a new prime minister and government acceptable to the political opposition.

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The military stabilization efforts moved into new territory when the US Marines sent missions to Gonaives and Cap-Haitien the northern stronghold of the anti-Aristide rebels.

"There are US forces that are moving into other areas of Haiti to do security," said Marine Staff Sergeant Timothy Edwards, a spokesman for the US contingent.

He said the small teams would assess the needs of the Haitian national police in Cap Haitien and Gonaives, and determining the possible scope of any international troop deployments there.

The rebellion was launched in Gonaives on February 5 and quickly spread. Cap Haitien, the country's second largest city, fell to the rebels on February 22 a week before Aristide fled. It is still the base of rebel military commander Guy Philippe.

In the capital, US and French troops joined Haitian police for a second day of patrols through the streets to dissuade looters.

They did not interfere with the large pro-Aristide, anti-US march from the presidential palace to the US embassy and then to the port, waving portraits of the ex-president and revolutionary Che Guevara.