Haitian police break up violent protest at palace

Haitian police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse protesters calling for President Rene Preval's resignation on Monday after some demonstrators robbed passersby and tried to crash through barricades around the national palace. Haiti's government has come under strong criticism for its response to the January 12 earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and caused damage estimated at up to 120 percent of the impoverished Caribbean country's gross domestic product. About 1,000 demonstrators took to the streets to denounce what they called a plan by Preval to sell the country to foreign powers and remain in power beyond his legal term, allegations that government officials have repeatedly denied. The protest was called by nearly 40 political parties and other opposition groups. Police reacted when protesters tried to break through a security perimeter around the quake-damaged palace where Preval was holding meetings. Protesters, some carrying firearms, attacked passersby and robbed them of money, mobile phones, jewelry and other belongings.