Haiti president leaves office without successor

President Michel Martelly made his farewell speech to Haiti as he departed office Sunday with no successor chosen because a runoff election was scrapped last month amid violent protests and deep suspicions about vote rigging.

In a nearly 20-minute speech before Parliament, Martelly said his “biggest regret is that the presidential election was postponed.” Addressing the Haitian people, he said he worked “night and day” to improve the country and was “ready to answer before the court of history.”

Martelly, who took office in May 2011, is departing on what was scheduled as the first day of Port-au-Prince’s annual three-day Carnival celebration. However, authorities called off Sunday’s festivities because of a tense atmosphere.

Lawmakers are beginning a process to patch together a short-term interim government to smooth political divisions and fill the void left by Martelly’s departure. Prime Minister Evans Paul remains in office for now, awaiting a provisional president to be chosen by Parliament in the coming days.

Haiti last created a transitional government in 2004. That interim administration, which lasted for two years, took power in the chaotic days after President Jean Bertrand-Aristide was ousted by a rebellion and a U.N. peacekeeping force came to stabilize the country.

This time, a last-minute deal was forged by Martelly and lawmakers less than 24 hours before his scheduled departure from office.

The deal announced Saturday says an interim government will rule until an elected leader can take office May 14.