Haitian president has new PM nominee

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, June 26 (UPI) -- Haitian President Rene Preval Thursday chose a new nominee to become the country's prime minister, Haitian radio reported.

Preval picked Michele Pierre-Louis to fill the position, which has been vacant for more than two months.

Haiti has been without a prime minister since April when riots over the rising cost of food left at least seven people dead and prompted lawmakers to force Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis to quit.

Preval's first choice, Ericq Pierre, was rejected by Haitian lawmakers, as was his second, onetime adviser Robert Manuel.