Embattled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide called on Saturday for an end to looting and violence after many of his armed loyalists terrorised residents of Haiti's capital as rebels advanced on the city.
"We condemn that (looting). When it's not good we have to say it's not good," the president said in a national TV address. He called on Haitians to stop carjacking and thefts but continue to barricade the city against any attack by rebels already in control of half the country.
Hours after his address, many streets were emptier of people and cars. Some barricades, flaming the night before, had been taken down. Others were unmanned. Most shops and gas stations were closed amid increasing food shortages.
The president's address came shortly after the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a statement saying pro-government groups had begun to "burn, pillage and kill" and calling on Aristide to put a halt to it.
FRENCH, US MILITARY PLANES ARRIVE: A French Army Transall plane and two US Air Force C-130 transport planes landed Saturday at the airport in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, witnesses said.
A convoy of eight vehicles left the airport for the French embassy here following the arrival of the French plane.
A smaller American convoy left the airport for an unknown destination. The two C-130s left after a short time on the ground.
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