Agence France Presse

Port-au-Prince, February 26

Armed supporters of President Jean Bertrand Aristide threw up roadblocks and looted the Haitian capital in anticipation of a threatened rebel attack as France became the first country to call on Aristide to stand down.

The UN Security Council and the permanent council of the Organisation of American States were to hold urgent meetings on Haiti today.

Hundreds of Haitians and foreigners braved masked, anger-prone gang members to mob the Port-au-Prince airport hoping to leave. At least two airlines cancelled flights due to deteriorating security and waning hopes for a peaceful solution.

Gunfire and looting were reported in the capital as Aristide’s political foes demanded the president’s departure as a precondition for any settlement. The United States and other governments struggled to keep mediation plans alive, but France called on Aristide to step down so international peacekeeping force could be deployed.

US President George W Bush said a security force could only be sent after a settlement is reached, and warned potential Haitian refugees against

taking to sea. But Haitians were already fleeing: the US Coast Guard said it intercepted a vessel from Gonaive, northern Haiti, in waters off Florida carrying 28 people, including seven crewmen and 21 Haitian refugees.

Miami television Channel 7 reported the boat was commandeered by armed Haitians that included policemen and lower-level government workers.

Meanwhile the rebels — who are also demanding Aristide’s ouster and have vowed to seize the capital — cemented their control of northern Haiti with the capture of Tortue Island, police said. “We want to capture the president to have him tried for charges of high treason, assassination, theft etc,” said Guy Philippe, the former police commissioner whose small rebel force — about 150 fighters — has made stunning gains in a three week insurrection.

However, he said they would lay down their arms if Aristide left office. “If Aristide goes, that is good. If he goes we will lay down our arms,” Philippe told AFP in Cap-Haitien, the second biggest city in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Philippe said that his forces could move on Port-au-Prince at any time. “We are already ready. The city is already almost entirely surrounded,” he said. “If we have not yet attacked Port-au-Prince, it is to give peace a chance,” he added, referring to the international mediation attempts.

At least 70 people have been killed and scores wounded as the three-week-old insurgency has spread. There are widespread fears of a bloodbath amid signs the rebels and pro-Aristide forces are prepared for retributory killing sprees.