Haiti tensions rise over food shortages

HAITI remained tense yesterday as Europe considered sending aid and the Red Cross and UN warned the chaos in the Caribbean country was threatening hospitals and causing food shortages.

Rebels with the Revolutionary Artibonite Resistance Front, who have occupied this north-western city since February 5, along with several other cities, insisted they had the means to put down any police attempts to retake the city.

"Any police operation will be pushed back because we have the means, the desire and the conviction to do so," group spokesman Winter Etienne said.