Haiti results give Aristide's party victory

Partial results from last week's parliamentary elections in Haiti suggest a sweeping victory for the party of the former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

According to the electoral authorities, Mr Aristide's Lavalas Family party has won more than half the seats in the Senate, and about one-third of seats so far counted in the Chamber of Deputies.

Opposition parties have called for the results to be annulled, alleging fraud.

On Monday, the United States condemned what it called a climate of intimidation after reports that dozens of government critics were arrested after the voting. Correspondents say that if the results are confirmed, it will be a boost for Mr Aristide's likely presidential bid in November.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service