Aristide Back in the Caribbean

The deposed Haitian president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, flew back to the Caribbean yesterday, bringing hope to his supporters and objections from US and Haitian officials, who believe his presence in the region will increase the tension in the country.

Scores of police and soldiers were sent to meet him when he landed in Jamaica yesterday after two weeks of exile in the Central African Republic. Mr Aristide insists he was "abducted" by the US and forced to leave Haiti. The US denies the accusation.

Before boarding the plane in Bangui, the capital of CAR, Mr Aristide made it clear that he had not given up hope of returning to lead his country.

"For the time being, I'm listening to my people," he said.

Jamaican officials said Mr Aristide had been warned not to use his visit to promote his campaign to return to Haiti. He was there to see his two daughters, whom he sent to New York to stay with relatives. None the less, his arrival in Jamaica, 115 miles from Haiti, encouraged his supporters, many of whom are angry at his departure.

The interim prime minister, Gerard Latortue, announced the recall of Haiti's ambassador to Jamaica yesterday, and is putting relations with that country on hold after warning that Mr Aristide's return to the region could endanger a fragile stability.

The situation in Haiti remains tense. US marines suffered their first casualty on Sunday, when one was shot in the arm while patrolling the Aristide stronghold of Belair.