Wyclef officially announces election run

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Recording star Wyclef Jean, accompanied by close family members, announced he will make a bid for the presidency of Haiti in the November election.

Appearing by his side were his wife Claudinette, daughter Angelina and other relatives.

Jean formally shared his intentions on Thursday's "Larry King Live" program on CNN, ending weeks of speculation that intensified with Jean's resignation early Thursday from Yele Haiti, an organization he co-founded in 2005.

Jean, who was born in Haiti and moved to the United States as a child, will be one of a number of candidates seeking to replace incumbent Rene Preval.

"This is a move I have been considering for a long time, and now, with conditions in Haiti worse than they've ever been, I want to take my commitment to helping my country to the highest level it can go," Jean said. "I can't imagine a better way to ensure the development and growth of Haiti, and I worry that at this critical time if we do nothing, then nothing will be done."

Jean said he intends to build his platform on education improvement, job creation, security enhancement and financing initiatives to nurture agriculture and entrepreneurship.

"From my experience running Yele, I've learned what works -- and what doesn't, and from my time as a U.N. goodwill ambassador, I know how to make things happen for Haiti at home and around the world," Jean said. "Now is the time to bring all of Haiti together -- I also know something about our Haitian diaspora -- I know they want to be involved in building a new, better Haiti, and I believe that, as president, I can ensure that everyone with Haiti's best interests at heart can work together to make our dreams of a reborn Haiti come true."

The election is to take place Nov. 28.