Haiti

3,000 supporters march for Aristide in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Three thousand supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched on the U.S. and French embassies on Friday, angry at his ouster.

The protesters, a few with pistols, charged past embassies and the presidential National Palace, chanting "Long live Aristide!" and "Down with George Bush!"

"If it comes to that, we will confront the U.S. Marines," said demonstrator Pierre Paul, 35. "We will do the same thing that they are doing in Iraq."

It was the first large protest in favor of Aristide since the ousted president fled to Africa on Sunday.

Rebel leader Guy Philippe said he might meet with opposition leaders to talk about re-establishing the army that was disbanded in 1995. Haitian armies have fomented 32 coups in the country's 200 years of independence.

U.S. Gen. James Hill of the Southern Command opposed the idea, saying, "There is no need for a Haitian army."

He said earlier that U.S. Light Armored Vehicles were placed at the presidential palace to stop looting that had erupted in recent days and prevent opposition forces from taking over.

The seven-member Council of Sages is expected to name a new prime minister within days, the Organization of American States said. The council was chosen by members of Aristide's Lavalas Family party, the broad-based opposition Democratic Platform coalition and the international community, said OAS spokesman Edward Alexander.

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