Rebel leader proclaims himself new military chief in Haiti

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 03, 2004

Rebel leader proclaims himself new military chief in Haiti

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Guy Philippe, the rebel leader of the insurgence that took arms and toppled Haiti's President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, proclaimed Tuesday himself the new military chief of the country, reports reaching Havana said.

Philippe announced his decision at a press conference in the capital Port-au-Prince amid mounting tensions on the role of the leaders of armed rebel groups are to hold in post-Aristide Haiti.

He reiterated he had no political aspirations, saying "I am notinterested in politics." "The president is the legal president, sowe follow his orders," he said.

Asked if that meant the rebels would disarm if asked, he said "We will."

Philippe, a former provincial police chief of Aristide, has said he wants to reconstitute the army that ousted Aristide in 1991 and that Aristide disbanded in 1995.

Reports from Port-au-Prince said that rebel forces were debating Tuesday on the issue of patrolling the streets of the capital to end the political murders and lootings.

In the meantime they awaited the arrival of more United States and French soldiers. These heavily armed US troops constitute an advance of a United Nations multinational force and they currentlycontrol the Presidential Palace, the Toussaint Louverture international airport and other key places.

France is to deploy some units of the Foreign Legion while Spain, Chile and El Salvador are to participate in the operation initially approved by the UN Security Council to last for three months.

Meanwhile, the political coalition decided to only hold meetings with Philippe for the other rebel leaders are accused of human rights violations.

Aristide was forced 48 hours ago to step down and leave the country but the new authorities headed by former judge of the Supreme Court Boniface Alexander remain unable to control the situation.

Some observers predict that the present turmoil might escalate into violence like the one unleashed on Feb. 5 to demand Aristide's removal.

Chaos, civil disobedience and political violence spill from thecapital Port-au-Prince, that hosts 2 million of the 8 million Haitian inhabitants, amid lootings and the escape of dangerous jailed criminals.

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