Haiti chooses new prime minister

A US-backed advisory council picked Gerard Latortue, a former UN official and business consultant as Haiti’s new prime minister, a step toward forming a transitional government and organising elections in the troubled nation.

The decision came as US Marines announced they would begin disarming rebels and armed loyalists of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide later this week, a potentially volatile move after weeks of bloodshed and anger over Aristide’s departure.

Latortue faces an arduous task as the nation’s interim leader. Not only will he be forced to appease rebels wanting the restoration of the army, but he will also have to make peace with armed Aristide militants who still view the former priest as Haiti’s legitimate leader.

Under Aristide, the prime minister’s position was largely ceremonial. Latortue’s position, however, will be that of a powerbroker and has the potential of carrying enough weight to smooth political divisions.

After five days of private meetings, a seven-member Council of Sages settled on Latortue, who – along with interim President Boniface Alexandre – will try to build a new government.

Latortue, who served as foreign minister in 1988 to former President Leslie Manigat, was in Miami.

But he was expected to fly to Haiti as soon today, council members said.

The decision was welcomed by Leslie Voltaire, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad.

“He knows the situation of Haiti, and he has an extensive knowledge of how international organisations work,” he said. “He’s a good person. He’s a man of compromise.”

Others were sceptical of the choice.

“I don’t think any of them was the ideal candidate,” council member Daniele Magloire said of the final candidates. “But that’s our choice, and we are finished.”

Aristide, meanwhile, has insisted from exile in Africa that he is still president of Haiti, saying he was removed from office by the US government.

State Department officials have denied those claims. But a third of all UN members – including the 53-nation African Union and the 15-nation Caribbean Community – have said they are investigating his allegations.