Former Haitian President Leslie Manigat dies at 83

Former Haitian President Leslie Manigat, who was ousted in a coup after 120 days in office, died today at his home in Port-au-Prince. He was 83.
Manigat, who suffered a stroke in 2012, had retired from political life.
Swept into office in 1988 in an election organized by the military, Manigat was turfed out again only months later in a violent coup.
"Leslie Manigat was the sharpest and finest intelligence in the history and culture of Haiti," said Patrice Dumont, a professor and leader of the Rally of Progressive National Democrats party, founded by Manigat.
"During his brief time in power, Manigat ruled with a truly patriotic governance for the greater good of the greatest number," Dumont said.

Educated in France, where he studied at Sciences Po and the Sorbonne, Manigat was touted as one of Haiti's brightest intellectuals.
He taught in France, the United States and Latin American countries such as Venezuela, living for years in exile during Haiti's dictatorship.