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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Haitian Senate Sacks Prime Minister

Food riots spark ouster of president's close ally

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(Newser) – Amid skyrocketing food prices and deadly riots in Haiti, the country's senate has voted to oust Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis. President Rene Preval, who appointed his ally Alexis in 2006 to lead the country's coalition government, must now choose a new cabinet. The vote came in spite of a recently announced 16% drop in the price of rice, BBC reports.

The price cut is to be underwritten by the private sector and international donors—a plan Preval's opposition calls "too little, too late." Protests over the last 10 days have left five dead, including a UN peacekeeper. "The majority of the people don't believe any more in the capacity of your government to take courageous measures," the senate told Preval.

Men are forced into a police truck after being detained for allegedly looting near the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
Men are forced into a police truck after being detained for allegedly looting near the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Haiti's Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, at the National Congress in Port-au-Prince Saturday, April 12, 2008. The senators voted to oust Alexis because he did not boost national food production.
Haiti's Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, at the National Congress in Port-au-Prince Saturday, April 12, 2008. The senators voted to oust Alexis because he did not boost national food production.   (AP Photo/Jack Tierney)
A Brazilian U.N. peacekeeper lifts a Haitian girl to make a basket, during a community activity at a primary school in Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Friday, April 11, 2008.
A Brazilian U.N. peacekeeper lifts a Haitian girl to make a basket, during a community activity at a primary school in Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Friday, April 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Haiti's President Rene Preval gestures during a press conference at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, April 12, 2008. Preval announced a drop in the price of rice Saturday in a bid to defuse anger of rising food prices.
Haiti's President Rene Preval gestures during a press conference at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, April 12, 2008. Preval announced a drop in the price of rice Saturday in a bid to defuse...   (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Haitians Joseph Francois and Betty Joseph, sit with their children in the Ideal City slum of Port-au-Prince. The food riots that gripped Haiti this week made scrounging something to eat even more difficult than usual.
Haitians Joseph Francois and Betty Joseph, sit with their children in the Ideal City slum of Port-au-Prince. The food riots that gripped Haiti this week made scrounging something to eat even more difficult...   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
A girl collects water in Port-au-Prince, Friday, April. 11, 2008. Protesters abandoned roadblocks and businesses reopened in Haiti's capital but some warned chaos will quickly return if the government does not rein in soaring food prices.
A girl collects water in Port-au-Prince, Friday, April. 11, 2008. Protesters abandoned roadblocks and businesses reopened in Haiti's capital but some warned chaos will quickly return if the government...   (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
U.N. peacekeepers sit inside an armored vehicle on a street in Port-au-Prince, Thursday, April 10, 2008.
U.N. peacekeepers sit inside an armored vehicle on a street in Port-au-Prince, Thursday, April 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
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