"I do believe I will be back as soon as possible and I will continue to invest in education," Aristide said in an interview with SABC radio, ruling out a return to politics. Aristide, 52, has been living in exile in South Africa after fleeing the restive Caribbean state in 2004 amid a popular revolt.

The former president said he would consult with President-elect Rene Preval, his one-time protege, the United Nations and "other countries" before choosing a date for his return.

"I do believe that as soon as possible I will have a date," he said.

Preval, who served as prime minister under Aristide for seven months in 1991, was declared the winner of the February 7 presidential election following international mediation. The election of Preval and Aristide's return could put an end to much diplomatic wrangling over Haiti since the 2004 revolt.

Aristide had long maintained that he had been forced to step down under pressure from the United States and France and had urged the African Union to take up his claims of a coup.

South African President Thabo Mbeki at the weekend signalled that Preval's election to the presidency could pave the way for Aristide to return.

"I would imagine from everything that I have seen and heard (that) President Preval wouldn't want to oppose president Aristide's return to Haiti," Mbeki said.

"But I think it will be determined largely by an assessment by Rene Preval, by president Aristide as to the time of it so that it doesn't create some unnecessary problems," he told public broadcaster SABC radio news.

Since arriving to a red-carpet welcome in May 2004, Aristide, together with his wife and two daughters has been living in a government-provided home in Pretoria and been provided with security and a car.

Aristide swept to power in Haiti in 1990, only to be overthrown in a coup eight months later. With backing from the United States, he returned to power in 1994 but fell out of favour with Washington amid claims of vote-rigging in the 2000 elections and political violence.

Faced with an armed insurrection and large street protests, Aristide bowed and fled Haiti on February 29, 2004 and was granted political refuge in South Africa three months later.