Defense

Haiti: Former Soldiers and Lavalas Rally in Cap-Haitien

CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (defend.ht/Radio Kiskeya) - In Cap-Haitien supposedly demobilized soldiers and Lavalas sympathizers were in the streets, the military made a scene of a parade led by Guy Philippe and a demonstration of Aristide supporters was under the leadership of Senator Jean-Charles Moïse - on the occasion of the anniversary of the constitution: some demanded the restoration of the army while the other went to war against Martelly.

At midday, the demonstration of Lavalas was punctuated by shots of unknown origin, protesters erected barricades of burning tires in several neighborhoods such as Cité Lescot. This situation would affect traffic and general trade. The stores have had to close suddenly in the second largest city, the record was made by Radio Kiskeya,.

Senator Moise marched through the streets of Okap at the head of a crowd of several hundred people who called for President Martelly to resign for holding alleged foreign nationality. "It is unacceptable that after 200 years of independence is a foreigner to head the country," said the second Senator from North, also chairman of a senate investigating committee.

Jean-Charles Moïse had opposed plans by President Michel Martelly to reinstate the Armed Forces of Haiti but on Thursday said if well established an army is a good thing.

For their part, cheered by thousands of young pro-rehabilitation FAd'H - dissolved in 1995 - the armed occupants and uniformed regional headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, which joined Guy Philippe, organized a parade which quickly turned into a street demonstration.

"We urge the government to heed the voice of the people", launched at the foot of the monuments of Vertières the former police commissioner by inviting the Head of State, Michel Martelly, to restore the military and helmets from blue.

Since the operations of the Haitian security forces and the U.S. have targeted the past three years, this is the first major public appearance of one who had taken up arms to contribute to the overthrow in 2004 of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Mr. Philip, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking, had a few days ago, visited the "demobilized" occupying the former camp Lamentin in Carrefour (south of the capital).

Dozens of them paraded Thursday in downtown Port-au-Prince after having already marched earlier this week in the vicinity of the National Palace.

President Michel Martelly has called for the creation of a new army, which officially project the main partners of Haiti, including the United States, refuse to join .