Haitians protest high food pricesWed, 09 Apr 2008...

Haitians protest high food prices
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:01:16
Haitians burn cars and block streets in a protest to the high cost of living.
Protesting at high food prices, hungry Haitian crowds have tried to storm the presidential palace in the capital Port-au-Prince.

The protesters set cars and buildings on fire and made concrete barriers throughout the town, blocking the streets on Tuesday.

UN troops were forced to fire rubber bullets and tear gas in attempts to disperse the crowds who shouted "We are hungry" as they tried to break the palace gates with a rolling dumpster.

They also hold UN peacekeepers responsible for raising the food prices and demanded their departure.

"I compare this situation to having a bucket full of gasoline and having some people around with a box of matches," commenting on the current circumstances in the country, Patrick Elie, an adviser to Haiti's President, Rene Garcia Preval, told reporters.

Since mid-2007, the food prices have risen 40 percent on average around the world, caused unrest in Haiti, which about 80% of its population live in poverty.