PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe said on Wednesday his forces would lay down their arms and would no longer patrol the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Philippe, speaking at a news conference outside the Haitian capital, said he had made the decision because international security forces were moving to disarm supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the city.
"We have decided to lay down our arms," said Philippe, who on Tuesday announced that he was chief of the military and police. Philippe and his rebels drove Aristide into exile on Sunday.
