Musician claims victory in Haiti presidential election

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.

Mr Martelly, who has never held political office, received nearly 68% of the vote in the two-way race with Mirlande Manigat, electoral council spokesman Pierre Thibault said in an announcement that was immediately followed by noisy celebration in the Haitian capital.