Haiti's lower house ratifies new prime minister

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 17 (Reuters) - Haiti's lower house of Parliament on Thursday ratified President Rene Preval's third choice for prime minister, bringing the impoverished country a step closer to replacing a government dismissed three months ago over violent food protests. By a vote of 61-1, with 20 abstentions, the lawmakers approved the nomination of economist Michele Pierre-Louis, director of FOKAL, a foundation that provides libraries, youth education programs and women's networks. It is supported by George Soros' Open Society Institute. Pierre-Louis' nomination has still to pass the Senate. Two previous nominations for prime minister were rejected by lawmakers, hampering Preval's efforts to bring the Caribbean country onto a path to stable democracy after decades of turmoil, military dictatorships and bloodshed.... [read full story]