Political uncertainty in Haiti as parliament is dissolved

Parliament in Haiti has been dissolved after the failure of negotiations over a new electoral law.

President Michel Martelly had been trying to secure backing for a US-sanctioned plan to postpone elections again.

He now effectively rules the country by decree but his term of office runs out next year.

Haitian opposition groups say they will continue months of street protests to try to force his resignation.

The political deadlock is centred on a dispute over a new electoral law, which opposition lawmakers have refused to approve.

On Sunday, President Martelly said he had reached a last-minute deal with the opposition to hold the elections.  

But key opposition party Fanmi Lavalas, which has been at the forefront of anti-government protests, was not part of the deal.

BBC