Remnants of Haiti's army march in the capital

Jean Pierre Alexandre - May 18 2012, 3:05 PM

Remnants of Haiti's army march in the capital
Published: May 18, 2012 3:30 PM

Haiti's President Michel Martelly, center, accompanied by first lady Sophia Martelly and newly appointed Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, arrive for a Flag Day ceremony in Arcahaie, Haiti, Friday, May 18, 2012. Haitians on Friday marked the 209th anniversary of their flag's creation.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A group of former and would-be soldiers in Haiti are refusing government orders to disband.

Hundreds of the ex-soldiers and their young recruits wore mismatched military fatigues as they marched through Haiti's capital on Friday.

A few carried handguns.

The group has been pressing President Michel Martelly to honor his campaign goal of restoring the armed forces that was abolished in 1995 because of its abusive record.

Martelly has said he wants to revive the military but it must be done legally.

His administration meanwhile has done little to disband the group of men who've been parading about Haiti as if they were an actual army.

U.N. troops fired tear gas upon the marchers near the National Palace but the incident was otherwise peaceful.

newsday.com/news/nation/remnants-o...

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Marjorie Middy says...

The president should nip this one in the bud very soon before this situation bites him in the rear. This "army" has potential for a blood bath in... more »