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Haiti's PM Steps Down Over Fuel Prices, Violence

by VOA News

   Haiti's prime minister resigned Saturday after days of protest over the
   government's plan to raise fuel prices.

   Jack Guy Lafontant announced to the lower house of Haiti's legislature:
   "I submitted my resignation to the president of the republic," and he
   confirmed that the president had accepted his resignation.

   Haiti has been in turmoil since last week, when the government
   announced plans for major increases in the prices of gasoline, diesel
   and kerosene.

   The announcement led to riots that resulted in at least four deaths.

   The government ended up calling off the price increases, but the
   political upheaval resulted in a no-confidence vote Saturday in the
   lower house of parliament.

   The U.S. State Department has issued a "do not travel" warning to U.S.
   citizens as a result of the unrest in Haiti.