Washington: US President George W Bush has ordered US Marines into Haiti as part of an international force to end the violence in that country after the resignation and hasty departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

"President Aristide resigned. He has left his country," Bush said yesterday (Feb 29, 2004) soon after Aristide was safely out of the country.

"I have ordered the deployment of Marines, as the leading element of an interim international force, to help bring order and stability to Haiti. I have done so in working with the international community," Bush further said.

Describing the development as the beginning of a new chapter in Haiti's history, the President urged the people of that country to "reject violence, to give this break from the past a chance to work."

The United States facilitated Aristide's safe departure from Haiti on his request, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

Haitian Supreme Court president Boniface Alexandre has been sworn in as Head of State until Presidential elections are held. Prime Minister Yvon Neptune will continue to serve as Haiti's Head of Government until a successor is appointed in the next days, within the framework of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) plan of action, Boucher said.

The US will continue consulting with CARICOM and the Organisation of American States, Canada and France, to seek a Security Council resolution authorising international support for the transition in Haiti, he added.