Haiti peace talks hit stalemate

President Aristide said he would not agree to a role for armed groups

Haiti's embattled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has agreed to a peace plan designed to end weeks of violence.

But the political opposition has yet to back the initiative, which would leave Mr Aristide in office but with reduced powers as part of a new government.

International mediators trying to broker a deal gave the opposition until Monday to make a decision.

The talks have not included the armed rebels who have seized control of much of the north of the Caribbean nation.

The BBC's Stephen Gibbs in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, says the break in negotiations could be a useful way of focusing the minds of Mr Aristide's political opponents, with the consequence of failure being potential anarchy.

They have until 1700 (2200 GMT) on Monday to give their decision to international mediators who earlier won the support of Mr Aristide.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN Aristide to stay in power until 2006 Prime minister to be replaced New PM to be selected by government, opposition and international community Elections to be held at unconfirmed date

"I accept the plan, publicly and entirely... In one word, yes," the president said.

The proposals would give the political opposition a stake in power, including a say in the appointment of a new prime minister.

An international peacekeeping force could also be deployed, with participation from the former colonial power France and members of the Organisation of American States.

No firm answer

Armed rebels not linked to the political opposition are believed to be in control of much of the north of Haiti, including the country's fourth-largest city, Gonaives. They have said they will not stop fighting until Mr Aristide steps down.

Rebel groups were not included in the peace talks

Mr Aristide said that under the peace plan rebels would be disarmed, adding: "I will not go ahead with any terrorists," - a reference to armed groups which have lead the rebellion.

The delegation of North American, European and Caribbean officials held a two-hour meeting with Mr Aristide before taking the plan to Haitian opposition politicians who want Mr Aristide removed from power.

The talks with the opposition parties are reported to have dragged on as mediators tried to get their agreement before setting the Monday deadline for an answer.

"While we did not get a yes, we did not get a no," Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said.

Canada's representative at the talks, Denis Coderre, told the BBC it had been important to put all the argument on the table.

More than 50 people have died in the two weeks since the uprising began against President Aristide, a former priest who is accused of rigging elections four years ago which saw him voted in as president until 2006.

The US has ordered all non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Haiti and advised US citizens on non-government business there to leave the country as soon as possible.