Ousted dictator ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier returns to Haiti

Port-au-PRINCE - Ousted Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier has returned to his country after 25 years in exile, local media reported.

The surprise arrival comes as the poor Caribbean nation is in the midst of sorting out a disputed presidential elections with a run-off vote expected in the coming weeks.

The 59-year-old known as Baby Doc landed aboard an Air France flight from Paris along with his wife, Veronique.

He was greeted by a small group of supporters, including his former foreign minister Adrien Raymond and the former chief of the presidential guard Christophe Dardompre. Journalists and the curious also were at the airport when Duvalier landed.

Media reported Duvalier said he had returned to help the Haitian people recover from the earthquake last year that killed an estimated 220,000 people.

Supporters of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide also called Sunday for him to return from exile in South Africa.

Duvalier took power in 1971 from his father Francois Duvalier, another dictatorial leader who was known as Papa Doc, and was ousted by a popular revolt in 1986. He stands accused of being responsible for the death of thousands and of massive corruption. His reasons for return remained unclear.

An as yet unreleased report by the Organisation of American States found massive irregularities in Nov 28 elections and a leaked copy showed it recommended the ruling party candidate not take part in a run off.