Haiti's interim president Boniface Alexandre, the supreme court chief, was officially inaugurated yesterday as temporary leader in place of Jean Bertrand Aristide, who resigned and fled into exile on February 29.

The ceremony went ahead as Aristide insisted from his exile in Central African Republic that he is still president.

Alexandre was sworn in as interim president, under the terms of Haiti's constitution, after Aristide fled an armed uprising against his rule.

Yesterday's ceremony went ahead at the presidential palace, guarded by US troops, in the presence of Yvon Feuillet, president of the National Assembly, senior government officials, the new chief of police, Leon Charles, and opposition representatives.

Prime Minister Yvon Neptune did not attend due to security concerns.

Port-au-Prince remained on edge Monday as gangs armed with machetes threatened passenger cars near the city airport and looters ransacked a nearby industrial park.

Alexandre appealed for "national reconciliation, the establishment of a climate of peace and security for all and an emergency plan to counter hunger and poverty and to improve health".

According to the constitution, Alexandre must organize presidential elections in 45 to 90 days.

Alexandre promised "the organisation of good elections that will allow the Haitian people to choose their represenatives and leaders".

He is due to name a new prime minister in the next 24 hours. – Sapa-AFP.