WASHINGTON — The US ambassador to Haiti, Kenneth Merten, said Thursday it was a "good day in Haiti" after the Caribbean nation moved to amend fraud-tainted first round election results.
"It's a good day in Haiti today, again," Merten told reporters in Washington, adding that Haiti's election commission appeared to be "very diligent" in following recommendations from the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS).
The commission bowed to international pressure to end the political stalemate.
The final results dropped Jude Celestin, the favored candidate of President Rene Preval, from second and a place in the March run-off.
Overturning earlier preliminary results, the commission said former first lady Mirlande Manigat and popular singer Michel Martelly will face off in next month's second round.
Merten said political stability will boost efforts to rebuild the country after the earthquake on January 12, 2010 that killed 220,000 people, left 1.3 million people homeless and destroyed much of the capital Port-au-Prince.
"I firmly believe that, we get the political situation back on track in terms of an elected, legitimately elected president and parliament, I think that will bring a feeling of stability to the country," Merten said.
"And that in turn will encourage economic investment," he said.
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