Jan. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Gunmen opened fire on opponents of Haiti's President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, wounding at least one person, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The violence came during a march by about 10,000 protesters, calling for Aristide to resign. It began when government supporters waiting on rooftops and behind walls started throwing stones at the demonstrators.

Gunmen hidden behind Haiti's state television center later fired on the demonstrators, the BBC said. Dozens of heavily armed police took up defensive positions in an effort to restore order.

Aristide has faced mounting opposition in recent months amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement and the demonstrations are growing in intensity and scale, the BBC said. Aristide has promised to hold elections within the next six months. The opposition says it won't take part unless he steps down first.

(British Broadcasting Corp. 1-18)

{BBCN <GO>} for the BBC Web site

Last Updated: January 18, 2004 20:27 EST