24/02/2004

Britons advised to leave war-torn Haiti

British nationals have been advised to leave Haiti "if they can do so safely" over fears that rebel forces are preparing to march on the nation's capital.

The Foreign Office today revised its travel advice for Haiti to advise Britons to leave the country – it has advising against all travel to Haiti since 13 February.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We advise against all travel to Haiti and all British Nationals in Haiti are advised to leave the country if they can do so safely. A highly volatile security situation prevails throughout the country, and rebels have taken up positions outside the capital Port-au-Prince."

Rebels seeking to remove the elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, now control large swathes of the north of the country, including its second city of Cap Haitien.

Barricades are being erected in the streets of the capital as the city prepares for the arrival of rebel troops. The rebels' leader has said that if Mr Aristide does not stand down he will send his troops into the capital within "two or three days", it has been reported.

It was reported yesterday that the US was sending in a detachment of 50 Marines to protect its embassy in the capital.

(gmcg)

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