Pretoria — South Africa has joined the Caribbean Economic Community (CARICOM), in calling for a United Nations sanctioned probe into circumstances leading to the departure of ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said if proven that Mr Aristide was "pushed out of office," the incident would have serious consequences for international law and democracy in the world.

"The suggestion that President Aristide may have been forced out of office, if true, will have serious consequences and ramifications for the respect of the rule of law and democracy the world over," said Dr Dlamini-Zuma

She said the international community should not be seen to be wavering in its commitment to democracy and the respect for the rule of law, particularly in the face of anti-democratic forces.

The Minister's comments come after the CARICOM Heads of Government, meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, earlier this week, released a statement calling for a probe under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to deal with the circumstances of Mr Aristide's departure.

"They (CARICOM Heads of Government) expressed the view that the circumstances under which the President demitted office set a dangerous precedent for democratically elected governments everywhere as it promotes the unconstitutional removal of duly elected persons from office," the CARICOM statement said.

The probe would seek to verify whether Mr Aristide's comments in media reports were true, when he was quoted as saying he was forced to leave his crisis-ridden country by the US.

However, the US authorities have vehemently denied the assertion that he was pushed.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma also expressed concern about the slow response of the UN Security Council to pleas for assistance in this regard from the government of Haiti.

"The UNSC should remain true to its mandate of being an organ for the collective security for all and therefore respond timeously to conflict situations with a view to the restoration of peace and stability," said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.

The minister said South Africa stood ready to support CARICOM in its efforts to assist the people of Haiti to return to constitutional democracy, rebuild democratic institutions and restore peace and stability.