HAITI'S rebels raised the stakes in the country's crisis by declaring themselves in control of security, refusing to disarm and vowing to arrest Jean Bertrand Aristide.

Rebels began patrolling the streets of the Haitian capital as rebel leader Guy Philippe declared himself the new chief of the military and threatened to arrest the country’s prime minister.

A REBEL convoy was greeted with jubilation when it rolled in to the capital yesterday as US troops hit the streets to help quell the violence following the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

HAITI descended into chaos yesterday hours after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled the island nation as looters ransacked Port-au-Prince police stations, prisons were opened and residents of the capital ran for cover as gunfire crackled.

Pro-government mobs looting the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince have withdrawn from the streets after a plea from President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Rebels were within 25 miles of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince today, as militants loyal to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide torched barricades, hijacked cars and looted the city’s only operating hospital.

REBEL forces virtually isolated Haiti President Jean Bertrand Aristide yesterday as international pressure mounted on the beleaguered leader to quit.

Rebels who have launched a bloody uprising took control of another town today, closing in on the capital as Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide appealed for foreign peacekeepers and the country lurched toward chaos.

REBELS who have overrun half of Haiti were converging on the capital, Port-au-Prince, yesterday and waiting for the order to attack, said their leader Guy Philippe.

Rebel fighters are converging on the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and waiting for the order to attack, their leader said today.

Foreigners, some guarded by US Marines, were fleeing Haiti in droves today, as looting erupted in the capital and pressure grew for an international intervention and for President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to step down.

US Marines were protecting the country’s embassy in Haiti today as rebels threatened to attack the capital in a bid to overthrow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Rebels who overran Haiti’s second city began detaining people identified as supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide today, and said they soon will attack the capital.

SCORES of foreigners, including missionaries and aid workers, streamed out of Haiti yesterday, fleeing a surging rebellion and mounting violence in government-held areas.

Scores of foreigners including missionaries and aid workers streamed out of Haiti today, fleeing a surging rebellion and mounting violence in government-held areas.

A REBEL force trying to oust President Jean-Bertrand Aristide grew in size as former exiled paramilitary troops joined the insurrection and aid workers hurried to get doctors and supplies to the cut-off north.

Haiti’s beleaguered government has thwarted an apparent coup attempt, with police recapturing the National Palace from armed men in a day of violence that killed at least seven people.