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Haiti Party: No Word from Candidate on Withdrawal

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti's ruling party says candidate Jude Celestin has not decided whether to agree to its call for him to withdraw from a presidential runoff.

Unity party leaders said they "agree that he remove himself as a presidential candidate." But Celestin has the final word.

Party coordinator Joseph Lambert told the AP Thursday that Celestin has not decided. Electoral council officials say they have not been informed of a withdrawal.

Unity leaders say their decision was made under threat of sanctions from the United States and others who want to push Celestin out in favor of populist Michel Martelly.

The stalemate has left Haiti at risk of a constitutional crisis when President Rene Preval's official term ends Feb. 7.

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