Haiti leader departs to make way for interim government

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – President Michel Martelly has made his farewell address to Haiti as he leaves office with no successor yet chosen.

In a speech before Parliament, Martelly says his "biggest regret is that the presidential election was postponed." He leaves office Sunday.

He says he worked "night and day" to better Haiti and he's "ready to answer before the court of history."

Lawmakers are beginning a process to patch together a short-term interim government. Prime Minister Evans Paul remains in office and a provisional president will be chosen by Parliament in coming days.

A last-minute deal forged by Martelly and lawmakers is designed to prevent an institutional vacuum. It says an interim government will rule until an elected leader takes office May 14.