Haiti: President Martelly reaches out to former president Jean Bertrand Aristide in bid to nurture dialogue

Haitian President Michel Martelly and former President Jean Bertrand Aristide at their previous meeting in 2011. PHOTO/File

Haitian President Michel Martelly has held a private meeting with his predecessor, two-time President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

According to local news reports, the meeting took place at Aristide’s home in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

It was part of a series of meetings between Martelly and the leaders of different political parties as the government faces pressure to hold overdue legislative and local elections.

The meetings are as a result of election promises made by Martelly – and are geared to the promotion of dialogue with all politicians and parties as Haiti continues to develop its democracy.

The meeting comes more than a week before demonstrators plan anti-government protests as they mark the anniversary of Aristide’s first ouster as president in 1991.Martelly used to perform as a musician and was openly critical of Aristide.

It’s the second official meeting between the two. They first met in 2011, when Martelly took office.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press