Thousands call for quake president to go

Police fired tear gas outside the ruins of Haiti's national palace to control 2,000 demonstrators calling for President Rene Preval's resignation in the largest political protest since the earthquake on January 12.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2010, 00:16 BST
Updated 12th May 2010, 00:16 BST

Lorries filled with riot police rolled behind the protesters as they jogged past tarpaulins and shanties yesterday, shouting insults at Mr Preval, who has been criticised for his low profile following the quake and for allegedly using the destruction to stay in office beyond his term.

"He is profiting from this disaster in order to stay in power," said Herve Santilus, 39, a sociologist who was laid off a few weeks after the quake struck and has not been able to find work since. Many demonstrators said they were supporters of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was exiled to Africa on a US plane during a 2004 rebellion.

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Protesters marched to Port-au-Prince's following lorries with

loudspeakers that trumpeted calls for Mr Aristide's return.

It was the strongest showing of opposition to the present Haitian leader since the quake killed a government-estimated 230,000 to 300,000 people.

Officials are struggling to hold an election as planned this autumn. The quake destroyed the election agency's headquarters and records and killed or displaced about 1.6 million voters.

Discontent over the unbearable smell and squalor in makeshift camps is on the rise.

Related topics:PoliceAfrica