Jean Bertrand Aristide says he intends to return to Haiti as soon as possible

Mr Preval said no Haitian needs a visa to enter or leave the country, and that applied to Mr Aristide as well.

He was speaking after Mr Aristide said he intended to return to his country as soon as possible.

Aristide to return to Haiti as early as possible

Jean Bertrand Aristide, speaking to the BBC today from South Africa, repeated his intention to return to Haiti at the earliest available opportunity.

The ousted leader told the BBC that his supporters had voted for his return in the election by voting for Mr Preval.

Mr Preval has inherited Mr Aristide's support among Haiti's poor.

"For the past two years, the Haitian people fought peacefully through demonstrations calling for my return," said Mr Aristide, who was forced from office in 2004.

"When they went to vote, they voted for my return and they said it very clearly."

US warns of destabilisation

However, he said the date of his return was not yet clear.

"It will emerge from consultation with those who are concerned.”

The United States has, however, warned that if Mr Aristide were to return to Haiti his presence could further destabilise the country.

"If the US really cares about democracy, as they say, about freedom, as they say, everybody would expect them to show respect for human rights. I have the right to be back," Mr Aristide stated.