Wyclef Jean officially ending bid to become president of Haiti

(via New York Daily News)

Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean announced Tuesday he is officially ending his bid to become president of Haiti.

The Grammy-winning artist, who was born in the quake-ravaged country and raised in Brooklyn, will not challenge an electoral commission that deemed him unqualified to run in the Nov. 28 race.

"After weeks of quiet but painstaking reflection with my wife and daughter, I have chosen to end my bid for the presidency of Haiti," Jean said in a statement.

"This was not an easy conclusion to reach; but it is one that as thoughtfully made, taking into account many, many competing factors and weighing the course that will be advance the healing of the country and help it find the quickest path for recovery."

Wyclef was barred from running in the November elections, along with 14 other candidates, after the electoral commission found he did not meet the entry requirements.

The singer said they believed he had not lived in Haiti for five consecutive years before the election.

He filed an appeal but has now decided to focus on his music instead.

His new album, "If I Were President, the Haitian Experience" is due to be released February 2011, followed by a worldwide tour.

"Some battles are best fought off the field, and that is where we take this now," Wyclef added.

"It's not about my candidacy - this appeal was meant to address the shortcomings of the process for every Haitian.

"Though my run for the presidency was cut short, in this way, I feel it was not in vain; it's something we can use to improve conditions for my Haitian brothers and sisters."