Haiti installs new government amid broken promises

Haiti a new US-backed government that didn't include former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's party despite the prime minister's pledge to include it.

Critics Prime Minister Gerard Latortue unfairly excluded Aristide's Lavalas Family party, the country's largest. Latortue had said that Lavalas would participate in a post-Aristide government.

The opposition Convergence coalition also was excluded.

"This is a government that is nonpartisan, and I invite everyone to judge it by its results," Latortue said Wednesday at a National Palace ceremony.

He promised fast action on organizing legislative elections and combatting corruption.

US Ambassador James Foley said "Latortue chose wisely" and that Haiti could expect significant US and international aid.

"I do think that the situation will stabilize, which is remarkable given the complete breakdown ... a virtual state of anarchy," he said.

Haiti been in crisis since flawed 2000 legislative elections swept by Lavalas. Aristide fled on Feb. 29 as a three-week rebellion threatened Port-au-Prince. He arrived in Jamaica Monday to reunite with his daughters -- despite Latortue's protests that Aristide's proximity could stir unrest among his supporters in Haiti.

Aristide he was forced out under US pressure. Washington insists he resigned before the bloody insurrection led by a street gang and former army officers could engulf the capital.

Aristide party leaders lost support as corruption flourished alongside poverty. They reacted by using police and militants to attack opponents.

Officials the 15-member Caribbean Community said leaders would discuss whether to recognize Latortue's government at a summit on March 25. The economic bloc has demanded an international investigation into Aristide's claims he didn't resign.

The new defense minister, General Herard Abraham, told the AP that a Haitian army could help a multinational force disarm the population.

Abraham a commission will study how to recreate the army -- a corrupt and brutal force before Aristide disbanded it in 1995.

"With the instability and the amount of guns that are spread around the country, we need a force that can proceed with disarmament," Abraham said.

Canada 170 more soldiers to Haiti on Wednesday, joining more than 2,600 US, French and Chilean troops.

The peacekeepers launched a nationwide disarmament campaign with a ceremony in the vast harbor-side slum of Cite Soleil -- an event marked by residents' demands that Aristide return.

Residents over more than 50 assault rifles, pistols and shotguns to a small convoy of French troops accompanied by Haitian police.