'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti from exile

The former president of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, has returned to the country, 25 years after he was overthrown by a popular revolt.

Mr Duvalier, 59, also known as "Baby Doc", arrived on a flight from France where he had been living in exile.

It was not clear what prompted his return, though he said he wanted "to help the people of Haiti" following last year's devastating earthquake.

He arrived amid political uncertainty after disputed presidential elections.

Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said there was no reason to believe Mr Duvalier's return would destabilise the country.

"He is a Haitian and, as such, is free to return home," said Mr Bellerive.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, Mr Duvalier was greeted by a small group of supporters when he stepped off an Air France flight at Port-au-Prince airport.

Jean-Claude Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.

He is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.

Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies.

Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes", which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation.

Papa Doc reinforced his power with a fearsome personality cult based on Haiti's traditional voodoo religion, but "Baby Doc" was regarded as more of a playboy.

In 1986 he was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US.

Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum.

In a radio interview in 2007, he asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule.

A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile.

His return to Haiti came on the day the country was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing president Rene Preval.

But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper.

Provisional results of the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

Haiti is also struggling to recover from a massive earthquake a year ago which killed more than 250,000 people and left the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins.

I live in the Cite Soleil area of Port-au-Prince, which is always full of life and activity. When we had the first bout of violence here, even though there was little violence in Cite Soleil itself, the burning tires throughout the rest of Port-au-Prince were like clots in the arteries of the city, preventing its blood from flowing properly. The roads were empty. There were no taptaps (shared taxis), no markets, nothing in the streets. Life just stopped for a few days, with no one able to sell even a bit of bread on the street. Haiti doesn't need excitement like this. It needs a slow, steady calm so people can rebuild their lives day by day. I don't want to see the roads turn empty again, just because an old head of state wants to come home. Sabina, Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

It seems to most Haitian citizens that Baby Doc has finally run out of cash, after his divorce. Most people feel that he has little to offer the country. Yes, there are those Duvalier nostalgics, or reformed Duvalierists, but their base of support now is rather limited. All the people at the airport were probably more curious than exuberant. Although with the current power vacuum, any politician may seem an attractive alternative to the present options. Tobias Cornelius Metzner, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The constitution does not prevent Mr Duvalier from returning home. A visa is not required for a Haitian national who wants to do so. However, Mr Duvalier has to face the consequences of his crimes. He asked for forgiveness once, but forgiveness walks together with justice. If he accepts the conditions, he is welcome. His return could complicate the already chaotic situation, by adding another issue. I think he is returning to disrupt the work going on here and to try to get back his properties in Haiti. There is another issue. Most of the victims of his regime are old today, and some have already died. I think Haitian people forget too easily. Jean Bertrand Aristide is trying to do the same without justice for the people. There is no progress without justice. Gregory Domond, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

I think that the prime minister made the right decision by allowing Duvalier to return to Haiti without a possible lawsuit. Unfortunately, since the departure of Duvalier, the situation has not really improved in Haiti. This country has been going from one struggle to another. It's true that Duvalier's regime was based on fear and repression. However, what has changed in this country since he left? Now with all of the kidnappings, rapes, murders, and killings going on in Haiti, even under the watch of the UN, I think that the situation has got even worse. In good faith, I think that it's time for the Haitian people to forgive each other and look forward to rebuilding this proud but impoverished nation. Duvalier belongs to the past. Let's move forward. Ronald Charles, Haiti