NEW YORK, USA - Jamaican Foreign Minister K D Knight addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Haiti at UN headquarters in New York, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With Haiti in the throes of a rebellion, Caribbean nations yesterday urged the UN Security Council to immediately authorise a multinational force to end the violence and restore law and order.

But the council - including key members France and the United States, which have taken a lead in trying to end the Haitian crisis - have strongly indicated they want a political settlement before deploying an international force.

Arguing against waiting for a political solution, Jamaica's Foreign Minister K D Knight told an open council meeting that rebel forces which have now created "anarchy" in much of the country are likely to reach the capital Port-au-Prince, and immediate action is needed.

"The situation is one of utmost urgency and the need for decisive action is paramount," said Knight, whose country heads the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom).

"The immediate need now is for the Security Council to authorise the urgent deployment of a multinational force to assist in the restoration of law and order, to facilitate a return to stability, and to create an environment in which the continuing efforts to find a solution to the political crisis can be pursued," he said.

Knight said some Caricom members "have already indicated a willingness to contribute to the force". He did not identify them.

Security Council members discussed the deteriorating situation in Haiti behind closed doors yesterday morning and drafted a statement that was expected to be read at the end of the open meeting yesterday.

According to the draft obtained by The Associated Press, the council is prepared to urgently consider options for international engagement in Haiti, including "an international force in support of a political settlement".

France has called for the immediate establishment of an international civilian force to be deployed once a government of national unity has been established, and US Secretary of State Colin Powell indicated yesterday that Washington also wants a political solution before any international intervention.

Whether the council will change its mind in response to the Caricom appeal remains to be seen.

Jamaica's Knight repeatedly stressed the need for immediate action to safeguard democracy in Haiti and prevent further bloodshed and a humanitarian disaster.

Testifying before a congressional committee earlier yesterday, Powell said: "The international community is ready to get engaged, willing to get engaged."

"There are debates, discussions taking place in the UN today (yesterday). But anybody who looks at this says 'What is it we're getting into?"' Powell said. "We've got to get into something that looks like it's a political solution. And that has not yet emerged."

Rebel forces have threatened to attack Port-au-Prince, where militants loyal to President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have set up dozens of flaming barricades to prevent a takeover.

An international plan, supported by Caricom and the United States, calls for Aristide to remain president with diminished powers and share the government with his political rivals, but it has been rejected by his political opponents.

Knight and many Security Council members urged the opposition to negotiate a political solution.

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin unveiled a five-point initiative Wednesday that would accelerate and broaden the Caricom peace plan. He also blamed Aristide for the current crisis and French officials made clear they want the Haitian president to resign.

De Villepin's initiative calls for immediate establishment of an international civilian force to restore order and back up a new "national unity" government. It also calls for international assistance to help Haiti organise a presidential election, humanitarian aid, the dispatch of human rights observers and a "long-term" international engagement to reconstruct Haiti's economy and society.

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