In pictures: Preval's victory

Supporters of Rene Preval celebrated in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after he was confirmed the winner of the country's presidential election.

The decision came after several days of street protests following allegations of fraud.

Electoral and monitoring authorities finally agreed to change the way 80,000 blank votes were allocated, taking Mr Preval over the 50% threshold.

Before the decision, Mr Preval - who would otherwise have faced a second round of voting - had urged his supporters to continue protesting over the alleged poll fraud.

The new president-elect made no public appearance as his supporters danced in the street outside the presidential palace.

UN peacekeepers stepped up security to prevent any rioting following the announcement.

Mr Preval's closest rival, Leslie Manigat, here seen voting on 7 February, said he had been robbed of a second round and called the result "a reward for violence".

Mr Preval had earlier said charred ballot papers found at a dump near Port-au-Prince backed his claims of fraud.