HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

February 8, 2011. Haitian president's term extended, protests reported

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Haitian President Rene Preval will stay in office as his country chooses a successor, according to the president's chief of staff on February 7th. Preval is now scheduled to end his term on May 14th. Previously, the president was scheduled to end his term on February 7th, but a runoff election to replace him has been delayed until March 20th. The Haitian government approved an emergency law after the January 2010 earthquake allowed Preval to extend his term because his 2006 inauguration was delayed.

The news triggered protests, with an estimated 100 people participated in a protest in Port-au-Prince on February 7th. Protesters called on President Preval to step down immediately. Police dispersed demonstrators with tear gas and fired into the air.