Dozens of Marines took up positions along the runway after flying into Toussaint Louverture International Airport under cover of darkness late yesterday.
Dressed in full combat gear and camouflage uniforms, the Marines unloaded jeeps and other vehicles, which had been secured earlier in the day by 20-30 Canadian special forces troops who had protected Canadian citizens flying out.
Rebels, whose moves to take control of many Haitian cities played a key role in President Jean Bertrand Aristide fleeing his country, said they were ready to lay down their arms and wanted the international troops.
France has also said that 200 troops and 100 gendarmes would be sent to Haiti.
The international force began gathering after Aristide resigned and flew off to exile early yesterday when it became clear he had no support at home or abroad.
Two military-type planes landed in darkness at the airport. One C-130 transport stayed on the runway for about an hour with its engines running before flying off again.
"We are here to protect American interests," a US Marine major, who declined Another officer, Lieutenant Michael Edwards, said at least one other transport plane was on the way and would arrive before dawn.
A small group of the US forces surveyed the arrivals area at the empty airport to set up accommodation for the night. The rest searched behind trucks and buildings with weapons drawn.
Dozens of Haitian police waited outside the airport but none were in the terminal for the arrival of the Americans.
Port-au-Prince erupted into violence and widespread looting after Aristide's departure. But a dusk-to-dawn curfew appeared to be holding, with only sporadic gunfire heard in the capital.
None of the US troops present would give details on how many had arrived or would be arriving overnight but a US defense official said earlier in Washington that about 200 Marines had departed for Haiti from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
US media reports said 2 000 Marines and three navy ships had been put on standby to go to Haiti.
A US defense official said up to 500 Americans could be in the advance force.
France has also said it will send 200 troops to Haiti from bases in the French Caribbean and 100 gendarmes from France.
Those forces were expected to start arriving later today.
Canada has also promised a more substantial contribution to the peacekeeping effort.
The UN Security Council authorised an international force in Haiti as the US Marines arrived.
The 15-nation council voted unanimously to approve a multinational force for up to three months.
After this time, a regular UN stabilisation force could be organised and deployed. – Sapa.
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