Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean on Thursday publicly announced his bid for the presidency of Haiti, dpa reported.
In a live, satellite interview from Port-au-Prince, the earthquake-ravaged capital, Jean told CNN that he had filed papers Thursday, ahead of Saturday's deadline to file, to begin his candidacy in the election scheduled for November 28.
"Today I went in, and I signed, and I am running to be the president of Haiti," the 40-year-old said.
The Haitian-born Jean said that he had left Haiti at age 9 for the United States, later obtained a work permit but had never sought US citizenship and always kept his Haitian passport.
Jean has been among public figures leading efforts to raise money for relief and rebuilding in Haiti since the impoverished country was shattered by a January 12 earthquake.
"It's a chance to rebuild from the bottom on up," he said.
Describing himself not as seeking the presidency, Jean said he was "drafted by the youth of Haiti."
He is best known as a member of the group The Fugees and has also been successful as a solo performer.