Looting in Haitian capital as foreigners flee

Foreigners fled Haiti today, some guarded by US marines, as looting erupted in the capital Port-au-Prince.

Shops and hotels barred gates and shutters as the opposition coalition asked the international community to help ensure a “timely and orderly” departure of beleaguered President Jean-Bertrand Aristide whose days in power appear numbered.

Militants loyal to the president set up dozens of flaming barricades, blocking roads all over the city and some leading to the airport.

One American abandoned his car at a roadblock and set off on foot for the airport, carrying his suitcase. Thugs were robbing people at the barricades.

US marines escorted a convoy of non essential UN staff and their families who had been ordered to leave the country.

Canada flew a team of soldiers into Port-au-Prince to help in case of a possible evacuation of 1,000 citizens in Haiti.

President George Bush today urged the international community to provide a strong “security presence” in the poverty stricken Caribbean nation

We will have a robust presence with an effective strategy,” Bush said in the Oval office without providing any details.

He warned that Haitians trying to flee to the US by boat would be turned back as soon as they entered territorial waters.

Haiti’s opposition coalition confirmed its refusal to agree to an international peace plan that would have Aristide remain as president but sharing power with his political rivals.

“It is absolutely necessary for the international community to accompany the country in its quest for a mechanism that will allow for a timely and orderly departure of Jean-Bertrand Aristide,” said a statement from the Democratic Platform coalition.

The first step in the resolution to the crisis is Aristide’s departure,” opposition leader Evans Paul reiterated at a news conference.

France’s UN ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said diplomats were considering proposing “a police force, or a civilian force” for approval by the Security Council.