Aristide says uprising won't oust him

DANGER Rebel groups have killed at least 47 people in week-long violence, but the Haitian president, who skirted the insurgency issue, has vowed to see out his term

AP , GONAIVES, HAITI

US officials say they now are on alert against any new exodus set off by the uprising.

"We are extremely concerned about the wave of violence spreading through Haiti," Scott McClellan, press secretary to US President George W. Bush, said in Washington "We call on the government to respect the rights, especially human rights, of the citizens."

Such comments have angered Haitian officials who note that Washington has not denounced the rebels.