Haiti - earthquake

Exiled Aristide offers to return

Article published on the 2010-01-15 Latest update 2010-01-15 18:37 TU

Former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, exiled in South Africa, attends a news briefing in Johannesburg on 15 January, 2010
(Photo: Reuters)

Former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, currently in exile in South Africa, has said he is ready to return to the country to help the aid effort.

The former Roman Catholic priest became Haiti's first elected president in 1990 but was removed by the military soon afterwards.

"As we all know, many people remain buried under tonnes of rubble and debris waiting to be rescued," he told reporters in Johannesburg.

"When we think of their suffering, we feel deeply and profoundly that we should be there in Haiti with them, trying our best to prevent death.

As far as we are concerned, we are ready to leave today, tomorrow - at any time - to join the people of Haiti."

"Friends from around the world have confirmed their willingness to organise an airplane carrying medical supplies, emergency needs and ourselves."

Aristide returned as president in 2000 but was forced into exile again four years later.