At least three people were killed Wednesday in downtown Port-au-Prince when police tried to re-establish control in the La Saline slum, a bastion of gangs loyal to fallen president Jean Bertrand Aristide.

US Marines and French forces later patrolled the streets in light armored vehicles to prevent a resurgence of killing, looting and arson that erupted after Aristide's flight into exile on Sunday.

Rebel leader Guy Philippe bowed to pressure and agreed to disarm his men after obtaining what he said were security guarantees in a meeting with the commander of the international force, US Marine Colonel Mark Gurganus.

Emboldened by his rapturous welcome on entering the capital, Philippe on Tuesday had refused to lay down their weapons until pro-Aristide gangs, or "chimeres," were also disarmed.

The rebels had also threatened to arrest Neptune, a close Aristide ally who remains temporarily in office pending the establishment of a new government under an internationally backed power sharing plan. He has been guarded by US Marines since rebels threatened to arrest him on Tuesday.

Neptune on Wednesday declared a national state of emergency in part because of the continuing clashes. Officials said the measure means that certain constitutional guarantees would be suspended.

Neptune said vandalism and looting had caused 300 million dollars in damage -- largely blamed on Aristide supporters -- and announced the creation of a commission to coordinate national security until a new government is installed.

Aristide's successor, interim President Boniface Alexandre, named Haitian Coast Guard boss Leonce Charles to be the new national police chief.