The 15-member Caribbean Community of Caricom has called for an independent investigation into the charge that Haitian president Jean Betrand Aristide was kidnapped by US forces. Jamaican Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman P.J. Patterson said, '’Several of us were in touch with [Aristide] … until very late Saturday night. Nothing that was said to us indicated that the president was contemplating a resignation.'’ Meanwhile the armed gangs led by Guy Phillipe have reportedly agreed to lay down their arms following requests from the US. One day after he said he was Haiit’s military commander, Phillipe announced that he was disarming his fighters and returning to Cap Haitien. According to the Miami Herald, the international force in Haiti now totals about 850 U.S. soldiers, 500 French police and troops, and about 60 Canadians. The force is expected to grow to up to 5,000 members in coming weeks. Meanwhile Interim President Boniface Alexandre moved into the National Palace and announced on radio that he would serve for only three months.