OAS mission chief hopeful Haiti can settle political crisis

At outgoing President Michel Martelly's request, the Organization of American States authorized the special mission to Haiti following the indefinite suspension of a runoff election to choose a successor before the Feb. 7 constitutional deadline for him to leave office.

Since arriving Sunday, the OAS representatives have met with Martelly and officials of his administration, lawmakers, judges and others.

Ronald Sanders, an Antiguan diplomat who is mission leader and chairman of the 35-nation OAS's permanent council, said he was impressed with the "remarkable intelligence" of the Haitian officials, but he wouldn't go so far as to say he was confident that they will agree on a workable solution in the next few days.

Madistin now acts as spokesman for an opposition alliance that includes Jude Celestin, who came in second and won a spot in suspended presidential runoff vote against Martelly's preferred successor, first-place finisher Jovenel Moise.

The opposition alliance wants a transitional government led by a Supreme Court leader to ensure a commission verifies disputed election results from rounds in August and October.