Haitian protesters clash with police

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, July 16 (UPI) -- Police in the Haitian capital used tear gas to push back demonstrators commemorating the birthday of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Thousands of Aristide supporters broke through barriers erected by authorities while celebrating the former leader's 55th birthday, Haitian radio reported Wednesday.

Despite leaving the country in 2004 amid widespread violence, Aristide remains a formidable political force in the poor Caribbean nation.

The ex-Haitian president, who currently resides in South Africa, has expressed a desire to return to Haiti one day.