Rebel leader Guy Philippe yesterday declared himself the new chief of Haiti's military, which was disbanded by ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and said he would arrest Prime Minister Yvon Neptune...
News Source: Trinidad Express
"The country is in my hands!" Philippe announced on Radio Signal FM. He summoned 20 police commanders to meet with him yesterday and warned that if they failed to appear he would arrest them.
"This is one of darker moments in Haiti's history," said Brian Concannon, who had successfully prosecuted another rebel leader, Louis-Jodel Chamblain, in absentia for a 1994 massacre. "I'm extremely afraid of all people who have fought for democracy because they all could be killed."
US Marines guarded Neptune's office in Petionville suburb, where Philippe was headed with hundreds of supporters in convoy impeded by adoring and cheering crowds who walked alongside. Local radio reported Neptune was evacuated by helicopter.
His whereabouts were not immediately known. Neptune is a top member of Aristide's Lavalas party and his former presidential spokesman.
US Marine Col Dave Berger told a press conference at the airport that the Marines, who began arriving Sunday night as the vanguard of an international peacekeeping force, will increase their presence throughout Haiti following Philippe's comments.
Full Story: Haitian rebel chief threatens PM
