Haitian protesters seek lower petrol price

Protesters in Port-au-Prince are demanding lower petrol prices and the ouster of President Michel Martelly.

Anti-government protesters chant anti-government slogans

At least 6000 protesters have marched through Haiti's capital to demand lower petrol prices. (AAP)

At least 6000 protesters have marched through Haiti's capital to demand lower petrol prices and the ouster of President Michel Martelly.

The protest in Port-au-Prince remained peaceful overall on Saturday although police briefly threw tear gas and dispersed a crowd that had thrown rubbish and tyres in the street to block traffic.

The protest, which diminished in strength as the afternoon wore on, was the latest in a series of demonstrations over recent weeks fuelled by anger over petrol prices.

The government recently lowered the price by about 25 US cents to $US4.50 a gallon and diesel prices dropped by about 20 US cents to $US3.55, but protesters say the reductions don't fully reflect the global drop in oil prices.

"The cost of living is too high," said Joel Pierre, a welder who joined Saturday's protest instead of going to work.

He said he also would join in in a two-day general strike scheduled to start on Monday that is aimed at forcing a shutdown of schools, banks and other institutions.

"We need to let the government know that this is serious," Pierre said.

Bus drivers went on strike for two days earlier in the week, stranding hundreds of thousands of workers and students.

Protesters also remain angry that President Michel Martelly began ruling by decree last month after parliament was dissolved.

Long-delayed elections have not been held.


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Source: AAP



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