Police used tear gas and fired assault rifles to break up a massive rally in support of Haiti's ousted president Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Around 10,000 people marched in Port-au-Prince demanding his return in one of the largest demonstration since Aristide was forced into exile at the end of February.

Police said the demonstration was illegal.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Jean-Bertrand Aristide

Aristide was forced to flee Haiti following a three-week rebellion. He has been visiting Jamaica, after a brief stop in the Central African Republic.

South Africa has agreed to give Aristide temporary asylum.

The United States is currently leading a peace force in Haiti.