World news: Ex-Haiti dictator says he's back to help nation rebuild

Former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier told Haitians he had returned after 25 years in exile to participate in the post-earthquake reconstruction of his homeland and was ready to face "persecution" for alleged crimes during his administration.

In his first public comments since his shock return to Haiti on Sunday, the ousted strongman known as "Baby Doc" spoke in a faint voice and did not take questions, leaving that to three American consultants, including former US congressman and presidential candidate Bob Barr and one of his Haitian lawyers.

He said the return was timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the earthquake.

"When I made the decision to come back to Haiti to commemorate this sad anniversary with you, in our country, I was ready for any kind of persecution," Duvalier said.

"But I believe that the desire to participate by your side in this collaboration for the national reconstruction far outweighs any harassment I could face."