South Africa is supporting a call by Caribbean states for an international investigation into circumstances surrounding the exile of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
"The international community must not be seen to be wavering in its commitment to democracy and the respect for the rule of law, particularly in the face of anti-democratic forces," said a statement issued by South Africa's foreign minister Mr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
"In this regard, we join in the call for an investigation under the auspices of the United Nations to clarify these circumstances leading to the departure of President Aristide," it said.