Two hundred protesters claimed Monday in Port-au-Prince in a tense atmosphere the departure of President Rene Preval, whose term expires on Monday but has previously indicated he would remain in office as long as the presidential election succeed.
The event took place on the Champ de Mars, outside the National Palace, in ruins since the earthquake of January 12, 2010, access to which was protected by police vehicles and peacekeepers, has been a AFP.
"Preval, give the key to the palace, your mission has ended," demonstrators chanted.
People rally in the streets on February 7, 2011 in Port-au-Prince to protest against the presidential elections. Haiti politician, Jude Celestin, who was dumped from the race to be president, on February 4, 2011 complained that victory had been stolen from him, but said he would bow to the election council's decision. Announcing definitive results February 3, the commission said popular singer Michel Martelly -- and not the ruling party's Celestin -- would face off against former first lady Mirlande Manigat in the run-off on March 20.
Bins were overturned in the streets and a group of youths threw stones at police, who dispersed them with tear gas.
The situation seemed calmed by mid-day.
Demonstrators overturn a trash bin during a protest against Haiti's President Rene Preval in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday Feb. 7, 2011. Preval's term had been scheduled to end Monday but will stay in office for three more months as his country chooses a successor in a delayed election, said his chief of staff. A group protested outside the National Palace, blocking traffic with overturned trash bins and burning tires and chanting "Preval is a crook!"
President Préval should leave office on Monday but has previously indicated he would remain in place to allow the installation of a new president and government. The second round of presidential elections to be held March 20.
Police officers secure a street near the National Palace as protestors took to the streets to demand that Haitian President Rene Preval leave office February 7, 2011 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Though he has parliamentary approval to stay in office until May 14, Preval's official mandate as president expires today.
Residents run away from tear gas thrown by national policemen in a provisional camp for earthquake victims during clashes with demonstrators in downtown Port-au-Prince February 7, 2011. Around 200 protesters demanding that Haiti's outgoing President Rene Preval leave office immediately set up burning barricades on Monday and threw stones at police and U.N. peacekeepers in the capital Port-au-Prince, witnesses said.
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