French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told a Haitian government delegation today that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide should quit as part of efforts to end a bloody rebellion in France's former colony.
Mr Villepin made the appeal during one hour of talks with a team led by Haitian Foreign Minister Mr Joseph Philippe Antonio, the ministry said in a written statement.
"The minister recalled that President Aristide bears a heavy responsibility in the current situation and that he should draw the conclusions from the impasse," the statement said.
"The minister recalled that each hour counts if we want to avoid an uncontrollable spiral of violence...More than ever, it is up to Haitians to put in place a transitional government of
national unity."
The Haiti delegation left the ministry without speaking to reporters and later issued a brief statement saying: "The two parties had a constructive exchange on latest developments in
Haiti's political situation and examined ways that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Haiti."
An embassy spokeswoman said a news conference due to be held later by Mr Antonio had been cancelled. She gave no reason and said Antonio would leave France by the weekend as planned.
The US joined France in urging Mr Aristide to quit, faced with a three-week-old rebellion in which more than 60 people have died. Even as rebels advance on Port-au-Prince, Mr Aristide has said he will see out his term in office to 2006.