Haiti: Laurent Lamothe announced as Prime Minister

Laurent Lamothe. PHOTO/File

A senior lawmaker says that Haiti’s government has named a new pick for prime minister.

Senate President Simon Dieuseul Desras said Thursday that President Michel Martelly nominated Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Lamothe to serve as the new No. 2 official.

The official announcement comes almost a week after outgoing Prime Minister Garry Conille resigned because of infighting with Martelly after just four months on the job.

The 39-year-old Lamothe is a close friend to Martelly and ran a telecommunications business before turning to politics. Lamothe also is co-chair on the government’s economic advisory board.

Parliament must ratify Lamothe, which could prove difficult. Martelly has few allies in the legislature.

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