Sunday, 30 May, 2004, 21:01 GMT 22:01 UK

 

Ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has gone to South Africa, ending a two-and-a-half-month exile in Jamaica.

He said South Africa would be his "temporary home" until he can return to his country, Haiti.

Earlier this month the Pretoria government announced it had granted asylum to Mr Aristide, following consultations with the US and France.

South African opposition parties had urged the authorities to deny entry to the former Haitian president.

Mr Aristide and his family boarded a South African government jet in Kingston on Sunday.

He fled from Haiti in February following a revolt against his leadership.

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

South Africa's Democratic Alliance said taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to support a man with doubtful democratic credentials.