Thousands of supporters of exiled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide marched around the US embassy in Haiti on Friday, protesting against US "occupation" of their homeland and demanding Aristide's return.

Reports reaching here said that protesters shouted "Bush terrorist," and waved flags bearing images of Aristide.

Aristide supporters claimed that they would demonstrate daily until the former president comes back.

On Friday, a tripartite council appointed a new council of seven "wise men" to name a new prime minister and the government of the Caribbean nation, five days after former President Jean Bertrand Aristide's exile.

The new body comprises representatives from the ruling Lavalas Family Party, the opposition coalition Democratic Platform, church,education and civil society.

Analysts said that at least four of the seven are aligned with Aristide's political opposition.

Aristide was reportedly expected to travel on from Central Africa to South Africa. But on Thursday, he said any trip to SouthAfrica would only be a step in a journey back to Haiti.

"I'm not the kind of person to stay in exile... If I have to make a stopover in South Africa, I will -- before going back home," he said in Bangui, capital of Central Africa.