SA considers Aristide sanctuary

Aristide says he was forced out of power

Ex-Haiti president Jean-Bertrand Aristide's request for permission to stay in South Africa will be considered this week, says the government.

Mr Aristide fled Haiti in February, as armed rebels were marching on the capital, Port-au-Prince.

He initially went to the Central African Republic and then to Jamaica.

Foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa denied speculation that this was a first step towards granting the ousted leader asylum.

"We are talking about a temporary arrangement in which he will be visiting South Africa until he finds a permanent place," he told Reuters news agency.

Mr Aristide has repeatedly accused the Americans of forcing him into exile, but Washington says Mr Aristide agreed to leave Haiti and voluntarily signed a letter of resignation.