U.N. peacekeepers step in as Aristide supporters demonstrate in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Supporters of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide demonstrated Thursday in Port-au-Prince after a judge issued an arrest warrant for him on Wednesday.

An arrest warrant was issued for Aristide after he missed a court appearance to face charges of money laundering, corruption and drug trafficking.

Concern that the former president would be imminently arrested prompted supporters to erect barricades outside Aristide's home, lining the nearby road with rocks and burning tires. A group of 150 stood in the streets in an attempt to prevent his arrest.

At some point, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti personnel arrived on the scene but protesters threw rocks at one U.N. vehicle, forcing two staff members to seek shelter in an area residence.

"We can confirm that the U.N. security team rescued two U.N. staff," a U.N. official told the BBC. Once the U.N. staff were safe, "peacekeeping troops cleared the protesters and their barricades, and retrieved the U.N. vehicle using smoke grenades and armored vehicles."