Musician Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly scored a come-from-behind victory in Haiti's presidential run-off, according to preliminary results from last month's election showing he easily defeated a former first lady for the leadership of a country facing enormous challenges.

Haitians scarred by decades of poverty, political corruption and natural disasters have cast their ballots for a new president.

Furious supporters of eliminated candidates set fires and put up barricades in the streets of Haiti's capital after officials announced that government protege Jude Celestin and former first lady Mirlande Manigat would advance to a second round run-off in presidential elections.

HAITIANS celebrated in the streets yesterday as word quickly spread that Rene Preval will be Haiti’s next president.