Haiti approves "war time budget" as criminal gangs wreak havoc

Haiti's transitional presidential council has approved on Monday an exceptional "war time budget" to address what it called a security and social emergency as armed gangs have taken control of nearly all of the capital and surrounding areas.

The 36 billion gourdes ($275.86 million) budget will be used to boost security forces, secure the border and support social programs, the council said in a statement.