A diplomatic source said however that a US Marine colonel had met Philippe to demand that his fighters disarm and to warn him against efforts to assume any control over the country.

Philippe told a press conference the international community had given him assurances about Haiti's security. "We also received a guarantee that democracy will be put into action in Haiti," he added.

The meeting with a US colonel was the first contact between Philippe and the US authorities since the launch of the insurrection that ultimately forced Aristide to hurriedly resign as president on Sunday and flee to Africa.

The colonel told Philippe he had no place in Haiti's political future. "It was an extremely blunt message," said the diplomatic source.

Emboldened by his rapturous welcome on entering the capital, Philippe said Tuesday he had control of the country "on a military and police level" and that the rebels would not disarm until the threat from pro-Aristide "chimeres" gangs was lifted. The rebels also threatened to arrest Prime Minister Yvon Neptune.

Haitian police fought gunbattles with gangs loyal to the ex-president in the Lasalines shanty, leaving at least three dead. Dozens of police moved into Lasalines to drive out gangs who have been on killing, looting and arson sprees since Aristide fled to Africa at the weekend.

Heavy fighting erupted as police sought to assert their authority on the barricaded, garbage-strewn streets of the slum. Witnesses said at least three people had been killed.

The US and French-led international stabilization force did not become involved in the fighting but staged a show of force in the city center to reinforce their campaign to restore order.

US Marines and French troops parked light-armored vehicles and Humvees outside the presidential palace and took up positions on the palace lawn with heavy machine guns and surface-to-surface missiles.

The palace is near Port-au-Prince's main police station and the former army headquarters where for the past two days the rebels have held court, drawing huge crowds.

About 2,500 Aristide followers ran through the square, chanting slogans in a show of support for the ousted leader. No trouble was reported but some were seen to be concealing weapons.

At Port-au-Prince airport, more Marines from the 450-strong US contingent prepared Humvees and other vehicles for street patrols aimed at discouraging Philippe.

Some 250 French soldiers and gendarmes are now in Haiti and an additional company of Foreign Legionnaires were expected from French Guyana later Wednesday. Chilean and Brazilian troops are also expected to join them.

The international force is the key element in a power-sharing plan that envisages the appointment of a new prime minister and government to keep the Americas poorest nation from sliding into anarchy.

As stability haltingly returned to the capital, commercial airline services resumed to Port-au-Prince after nearly a week's suspension. The first scheduled flight, a Dutch Caribbean Airlines MD-80 from Miami landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport.