New Haitian cabinet takes office

Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis' new cabinet replaces the interim administration named after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled in 2004.

Current President Rene Preval said Haiti was on the path to recovering its sovereignty, but said it needed the help of the international community.

A UN peacekeeping force is deployed in Haiti, which remains deeply divided between rival political factions.

The swearing in of Mr Alexis and his six-party coalition cabinet brings to a close more than two years of political uncertainty.

Fragile

BBC regional analyst Emilio San Pedro says the government faces huge challenges - such as improving social and economic conditions in the Americas' poorest country.

The cabinet will seek to rebuild perennially frail democratic institutions in a country that has known mostly authoritarian rule, our correspondent adds.

President Preval - a former ally of Mr Aristide - urged Haitians to work together to overcome the mistrust among political groups.

"Permanent dialogue will be crucial for national protection," he said at Friday's swearing-in ceremony.

The new cabinet includes several members of Mr Preval's Lespwa party and a representative from five other parties - including Mr Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas.

Mr Aristide was forced into exile after former army soldiers launched a rebellion in early 2004 amid ongoing political and economic turmoil.

An interim government was formed, and UN peacekeepers were sent to curb continuing violence.

President Preval and a new parliament were elected in February.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5066694.stm