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Fils-Aime pledges to improve security amid raging gang

violence

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Spirit Airlines ( SAVE ) flight struck by gunfire, injuring flight

attendant

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All flights in and out of Port-au-Prince airport halted

By Harold Isaac

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Haitian Prime

Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime took office on Monday as the

nation's new interim leader pledging to improve security even as

armed gangs flexed their muscles with a brazen attack on a

commercial plane attempting to land in the capital.

Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation's

transitional council over the weekend to succeed Garry Conille,

who only lasted in the role six months.

The council and the new prime minister are tasked with

preparing for long-delayed elections amid a deep political and

social crisis marked by growing hunger and frequent episodes of

raging gangland violence.

"Obviously, the first unavoidable challenge is the

reinstatement of security," Fils-Aime said in a crowded room at

the prime minister's official office, known as Villa d'Accueil,

attended by diplomats and other dignitaries.

"Security of the people, security of the goods and

infrastructures. Food security and freedom of movement across

the entire national territory," he stressed, in a nod to areas

controlled by powerful gangs.

Fils-Aime is the son of well-known Haitian activist Alix

Fils-Aime, who was jailed under the regime of former dictator

Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, who ruled from 1971 until he

was overthrown by a popular uprising in 1986.

Earlier on Monday, a Spirit Airlines ( SAVE ) flight to the capital

Port-au-Prince was struck by gunfire, injuring a flight

attendant who was grazed by a bullet, according to a Miami

Herald report, and forcing the plane to divert to the

neighboring Dominican Republic.

The incident marks the latest eruption of violence blamed on

the gangs that control most of the capital, as well as key

roadways and other infrastructure. The gangs, whom Fils-Aime

dubbed "bandits" in his speech, have often targeted the

Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

In a statement, Spirit confirmed the plane was

damaged but that no passengers were injured.

A video circulating on social media showed where a bullet

pierced the rear exit door as well as striking an overhead bin

across the aisle. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the

authenticity of the video.

All flights in and out of the airport have been halted,

according to a travel advisory from the U.S. embassy in Haiti.

The embassy "is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to

and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and

disruptions to roads, ports and airports," it added.

Armed gangs in Haiti's capital have shot at aircraft in

recent weeks as the security situation has worsened. Last month,

a U.N. helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince.