The US federal government and six states have taken legal action aimed at blocking a gigantic merger between American Airlines and US Airways.

SUPPORTERS of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide criticised the foreign occupation of their country yesterday as Haitian officials began to patch together a new government.

An opposition coalition, insisting that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resign, rejected a US-backed peace plan to avert all-out civil war as Haiti’s leader urgently appealed to the world for help.

Militants loyal to Haiti’s President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have attacked protesters demanding he resign with barrages of shotgun fire, stones and bottles.