Manigat blames post-election stalemate in Haiti

The leading presidential candidate in Haiti Mirlande Manigat, has blamed the post-election stalemate in Haiti on what she describes as a crisis of confidence in the country's electoral officials.



She is also defending her decision not to participate in a recount proposed by the Electoral Council after violent street protests last week against the preliminary results.



The protests were led by supporters of Michel Martelly, who was declared third after the first round count.



Martelly says the election was rigged in favour of the government candidate, Jude Celestin, who was declared second.



Manigat says she remains open to power-sharing agreements as a means of ending the crisis.



However, US ambassador Kenneth Merten say Washington would not support a provisional government.