Wyclef Jean Voices Support For Haitian Rebels [View All]

[Freddie Stubbs]

Wyclef Jean voiced his support for Haitian rebels on Wednesday, calling on embattled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to step down and telling his fans in Haiti to "keep their head up" as the country braces itself for possible civil war.

"The country's in an uproar, it's not safe. But for the safety of the country and to stop the violence, it has to be a situation where he steps down," Jean, who was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, told MTV News. "If the president steps down, there will be some form of negotiation with the opposition force."

"I don't consider those people rebels," Wyclef said. "It's people standing up for their rights. It's not like these people just appeared out of nowhere and said, 'Let's cause some trouble.' I think it's just built up frustration, anger, hunger, depression."

On Wednesday morning (February 25), the heavily armed opposition, led by members of Haiti's now-disbanded army, approached the capital of Port-au-Prince after laying siege to the country's second largest city, Cap-Hatien, on Thursday. They demanded that President Aristide step down, called his government corrupt and demanded new elections. Fifty-five U.S. Marines were sent to Haiti to protect the U.S. Embassy there on Monday.

more: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485326/20040225/jean_wyclef.jhtml?headlines=true