Haiti's carnival of flowers draws crowds

Thousands of revellers have poured into the downtown area of Haiti's capital to kick off a three-day festival called the "Carnival of Flowers."

The Haitian government held the main Carnival celebrations this year in the countryside, in large part because a public plaza in Port-au-Prince still housed thousands of people displaced by the 2010 earthquake.

It was the first time in memory Carnival was held outside Haiti's capital.

The administration of President Michel Martelly wanted to hold Sunday's celebration to mark the clearing of the park-turned-settlement and also let people in Port-au-Prince enjoy their own Carnival.

Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6m (£1m) on the event.

The government says that the celebration will boost morale and provide jobs.

AP