Haiti’s New Prime Minister Named Amidst Food Crisis

Haiti on Sunday named a new prime minister two weeks after his predecessor was ousted over rocketing food and fuel prices that sparked violent demonstrations claiming several lives.

President Rene Preval chose Ericq Pierre, 63, a respected Haitian economist with the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, to be the country’s prime minister, government sources told AFP.

Pierre, whose nomination must now pass a vote in parliament, would succeed former premier Jacques-Edouard Alexis, who was forced to resign on April 12 after a no-confidence vote followed food riots that killed six people and wounded around 200.

Source –  Edmonton Journal

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While Haiti awaits the appointment of a new Prime Minister and its people yearning for the return of Aristide, we found this brief historical bio on the political misfotunes in Haiti by WorldNews.com Correspondent Dallas Darling.

Mr Darling is active in the Central American Peace Movement and currently works with Pastors For Peace in delivering humanitarian aid to foreign countries. He was also worked in a Guatemala Refugee Camp, the barrios of Panama, and in Mexico. He has a Masters in Pastoral Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion and gives readers his feelings on President Aristide running for President in Haiti and factual notes on the political instability in that country.

Saudi Blogger Farhan Freed From Prison

Saudi Arabia’s most popular blogger was released Saturday after serving four months in prison without charge.

The blogger, Fouad al-Farhan, 33, was detained Dec. 10 after authorities warned him about his online support of an activist group. At the time of his arrest, the Interior Ministry said only that his violations were not related to state security.

Farhan had used his blog to criticize corruption and call for political reform in Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy. Fouad al-Farhan is one of the few Saudi bloggers who uses his real name.

Mr Farhan’s arrest, believed to be the first of an online critic in Saudi Arabia, had been condemned by bloggers around the world, including more than 200 in the kingdom.

In a telephone interview Saturday, Farhan said he was happy to be free and described his time behind bars as “a unique experience.” He said he had been “fairly treated” but would not comment on the specifics of his case.

“I will be blogging soon,” he said.

In a letter to friends written just before he was detained, he said: “I was told that there is an official order from a high-ranking official in the Ministry of the Interior to investigate me. They will pick me up anytime during the next two weeks.”

Reporters Without Borders classifies Saudi Arabia as a top “internet enemy” and estimates about 400,000 websites are on the government’s blacklist.

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[Adapted from International Press Reports]