"I learned with sadness of the sudden death of former Haitian President René Préval.

President of the Republic from 1996 to 2001, and from 2006 to 2011, René Préval marked the democratic transition of the country.

Deeply attached to the fundamental freedoms and values of democracy, René Préval was a man of openness and dialogue who worked tirelessly to build democratic institutions and appease Haitian society.

I extend my sincere condolences to his wife, family and loved ones and to the Haitian people.

Paris, March 4, 2017,

François Hollande,

President of the French Republic."

HL/ HaitiLibre