 Aristide (r) was given a warm welcome |
Ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has arrived in South Africa, ending a two-and-a-half-month exile in Jamaica.
He said South Africa would be his “temporary home” until he can return to his country, Haiti.
The BBC’s Victoria Phenethi in South Africa says that Mr Aristide was given a red-carpet treatment by President Thabo Mbeki and other officials.
South African opposition parties had urged the authorities to deny entry to the former Haitian president.
Earlier this month the Pretoria government announced it had granted asylum to Mr Aristide, following consultations with the US and France.
Mr Aristide fled from Haiti in February following a revolt against his leadership.
He initially went to the Central African Republic and then to Jamaica.
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance said taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to support a man with doubtful democratic credentials.