Haiti's transitional council made a significant decision on Tuesday, selecting Fritz Bélizaire, a former sports minister, as the country's new prime minister. This decision comes amidst the council's challenging task of establishing a stable government amidst escalating violence.
Bélizaire's appointment was unexpected, as he replaced interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert. He gained support from four out of seven voting members on the nine-member panel, although some members admitted to being unfamiliar with him.
In addition to selecting a new prime minister, the council aimed to form a Cabinet to address the rampant gang violence plaguing the capital city, Port-au-Prince, and its surroundings.
Reports of heavy gunfire in various neighborhoods underscored the urgency of the situation during the council's meeting.
The escalating violence has led to a mass exodus from the capital, with over 90,000 people fleeing within a month. Furthermore, more than 360,000 individuals have been displaced in recent years as armed groups clash in contested areas.
Earlier in the day, the council appointed former presidential candidate Edgard Leblanc Fils as the panel's president. Fils expressed confidence in Bélizaire, stating, "This is a very good choice for prime minister. The important thing for us is this will, this determination to go beyond divisions, to overcome conflicts and to reach a consensus," during a brief address to the attendees.
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