Port-au-Prince, Haiti - The 24-hour occupation by former Haitian military officers of two buildings in northern Haiti ended without bloodshed, Radio Metropole reported Thursday from the capital Port-au-Prince.

The approximately 200 men occupied a former prison in Cap Haitien and a military barracks in the city of Ouanaminthe on the Hatian-Dominican Republic border on Wednesday. The officers were demanding the reinstatement of the army that was dissolved in 1995 by ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and were demanding 14 years of back pay.

It was not immediately known what ended the protest or whether any concessions were granted to the former soldiers.

Experts believe the protests could also be connected with attempts by President Rene Preval to reinstall a prime minister after being forced to dissolve his government following April's famine-related protests.

Haiti's senate is currently discussing a third potential candidate, after it failed to endorse to previous candidates.

While the lower house approved Michele Pierre-Louis two weeks ago, opposition senators questioned her suitability because of her alleged homosexuality. The Senate was scheduled to vote Wednesday on Pierre-Louis, however, the vote was postponed because a quorum was not present. (dpa)