Roiled by Presidential Assassination, Haiti Swears in New PM

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - Haiti's new prime minister, Ariel Henry, took office Tuesday in the aftermath of the president's assassination two weeks ago, pledging to improve the country's dire security and to organize long-delayed elections. 

Henry was installed as head of a new government in an attempt to stabilize a country on the brink of chaos since the murder of President Jovenel Moise at his residence in the early hours of July 7.  The swearing in of Henry, who was named to the post by Moise days before his death, was seen as a key step toward holding elections as demanded by many Haitians and the international community.  After the president was killed by armed commandos, acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph declared a "state of siege" and said he was in charge, launching a power tussle in the violence-wracked impoverished Caribbean nation.