(16 Feb 06 - RV) Two years on from a political coup that rocked haiti, the western
hemisphere’s poorest nation finally has a new leader. Former prime minister Rene
Preval, was declared president today, following last week's vote marred by claims
of irregularities. Preval gained 51% of the vote after authorities reached a last-minute
deal to remove thousands of blank ballot papers from the count. UN peacekeepers
are stepping up security in the city to prevent any rioting by opponents of the winner.
Auxillary Bishop of Port-Au-Prince, Pierre-Andre Dumas, says the elections can only
be declared a victory if they benefit the Haitian population…